Fair ~ 64°F   River stage: 33.86 Falling Saturday, November 21, 2009

Elections Perryville lawyer to challenge incumbent in Perry County associate circuit judge contest (11/19/09) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Republican primary election contest is brewing for associate circuit judge in Perry County. Attorney Jason Tilley announced Wednesday that he's hosting a campaign kick-off dinner at 4 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion Post 133 in Perryville. Tilley, the brother of state Rep. Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, is making his first bid for office... Mayoral, Ward 2 races to require primary (11/18/09) Cape Girardeau voters will cast ballots in a Feb. 2 primary election for mayor and the Ward 2 city council seat. Filing closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday for the 2010 municipal elections. There were no late surprises and only one candidate, Jim Blakemore in Ward 2, turned in nominating petitions on the last day, city clerk Gayle Conrad said... Harry Rediger to run for Cape mayor; field of candidates now at 3 (11/17/09) Standing in front of the J.C. Penney store where he was manager for 20 years, retired businessman Harry Rediger on Monday announced he will run for mayor of Cape Girardeau. With more than 50 supporters nearby, including many prominent business leaders, Rediger said he's ready for a challenge after years of involvement in city and civic causes. ... Swan seeks seat on Cape Girardeau city council (11/03/09) Well-known Cape Girardeau businesswoman Kathy Swan filed today as a candidate for the Ward 6 city council seat. Swan, 58, is president and owner of JCS Wireless. She is a two-term member of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and a member of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors... Advance cancels special election after discovering it's not legal (10/07/09) ADVANCE, Mo. -- A call from the Missouri Municipal League to the City of Advance has put a stop to the Nov.3 special election for mayor after municipal league personnel told the city a special election wouldn't meet state statutory requirements. "I take full responsibility for the mistake," said Advance City Attorney Don Rhodes. "I learned in law school that you should never assume you know what the statute says, because it could have been amended. I should have checked it."... Dems recommend Bollinger to fill circuit clerk vacancy (10/07/09) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Democrat Club agreed Monday to recommend that Gov. Jay Nixon appoint Nick Bollinger of Marble Hill to fill the vacancy in the circuit clerk's office left by the resignation of Sharon Lutes. Bollinger, a self-employed bricklayer, has not held public office before, although he said he ran for collector in 1994, losing to current Ccollector Bob Anderson... Two fire district boards expand to five members (04/08/09) Two rural fire district boards that have dealt with recent turmoil had votes passed Tuesday expanding their size from three to five members. The Millersville Fire District board had its share of controversy during the past year, said Janice Robertson, who defeated incumbent board member Lori Aufdenberg by nine votes Tuesday... Few voters in Cape, Scott, Perry, Bollinger counties turn out for election day (04/08/09) A quiet election day passed with few surprises in Southeast Missouri. Voters chose members of city councils, school boards and other local government entities. The heaviest turnout was in the smaller towns, where issues such as sewer systems and flood control dominate the agenda... Luther Bonds wins seat on Cape School Board (04/08/09) As the Cape Girardeau School Board works toward easing dropout rates and drafting a new facilities plan, it will have new member. Newcomer Luther Bonds unseated four-year board member Charles Bertrand by a 19-vote margin in Tuesday's election. Bonds said he wanted to "spread the net" and try to reach more at-risk students. As executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, Bonds said he will bring a community connection to the board... Turnout light in many area voting precincts (04/07/09) A quiet election day passed with few surprises in Southeast MIssouri. Voters chose members of city councils, school boards and other local government entities. The heaviest turnout was in the smaller towns, where issues such as development, sewer systems and flood control dominate the agenda ... Jackson School Board candidates talk about construction (04/06/09) Jackson school board incumbents are proud of the construction done at the high school, but some candidates said the process could be improved for future phases of the project. Incumbents Brent Wills and Cathy Goodman will face Pat Wissman and Robert Aubuchon in Tuesday's election. The two candidates with the most votes will assume three-year terms on the board... Scott City School Board candidates discuss bullying, facilities, academics (04/06/09) Bullying is not limited to the Scott City School District, but the school board has done its part to contain the problem there in recent months, according to two board members. Incumbents Keith Simpson and Gary Miller will face Karen Pobst and Gary Haynes in Tuesday's election. The two candidates with the most votes will assume three-year terms on the board... Cape Girardeau School Board candidates offer views on dropout rate (04/06/09) As the Cape Girardeau School District works toward a plan to restructure the district's facilities, one school board member says the school system is heading in the wrong direction. In the face of an increasing dropout rate, school board candidates offer different perspectives on the goals of the district. Incumbents Kyle McDonald and Charles Bertrand will face Luther Bonds and Betty Mosley in Tuesday's election. The two candidates with the most votes will assume three-year terms on the board... Dutchtown candidates hope to stop town floods (04/04/09) When the residents of Dutchtown incorporated in 1998, the No. 1 reason was to use the status as an official village to secure money for a flood control project. When massive rains sent floodwaters surging through town last year, it not only damaged most of the homes in this town of 100, it also exposed conflicts among village leaders over a proposed levee... Millersville Fire District board member files complaint over flier (04/03/09) Two rural fire districts hope Tuesday's election will signal the end of a tumultuous chapter for their fire boards, even as a campaign flier has raised new questions and concerns for current board members in one of the districts. On Tuesday, the Millersville Fire District board filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission over a campaign flier included in the monthly bill sent to Public Water Supply District No. 2 customers, said board chairman Jim Roche... Four candidates talk at Scott City school board candidate forum (03/31/09) Two incumbents and two newcomers made a case for their candidacy Monday evening at a forum for Scott City school board candidates. About 30 community members attended the meeting, which lasted 20 minutes in the school cafeteria. Gary Haynes, who grew up in Colorado, said he will bring a different perspective to the school board... Expansion, funding topics of Jackson board candidates (03/23/09) During a candidate forum Monday night two Jackson school board incumbents said the district might have to look at expansion in the future to avoid overcrowding. "I think it's just something we keep an eye on," said Cathy Goodman, a six-year board member running for re-election... Two candidates running for more than one post in April elections (01/22/09) The April 7 municipal elections in Southeast Missouri will feature at least two candidates trying to win two campaigns, as well as offices where not enough candidates filed to fill all the available positions. Pat Wissman, who lost a close contest in the Democratic primary for Cape Girardeau County commissioner in August, filed Tuesday for a seat on the Jackson School Board. ... Candidates in 158th District race spar over Medicaid, taxes (01/23/08) Sparring over Medicaid cuts, right-to-life credentials and taxes made for a lively evening at a three-way candidate forum two weeks ahead of the special election to fill the 158th District Missouri House seat. More than 60 people attended the event sponsored by the League of Women Voters. ... Campaigns for April 8 elections underway (01/23/08) Four men and one woman have filed to compete for the change to replace Perryville, Mo.'s late mayor, Robert Miget. According to Perryville city clerk Tracy Prost, voters will decide among Marvin Ruehling, Mark Leuckel, Van Naeger, Jackie Patton and Debbie Gahan on April 8... Seven to run for Cape Girardeau school board (01/23/08) The Cape Girardeau school board election is shaping up to be more exciting than last year. Seven people are running for three seats, including incumbents Dr. Steve Trautwein, Martha Hamilton and Tom Reinagel. Last year the race was uncontested. Others who have filed are:... Campaign Reports (01/16/08) Judge rewrites ballot language on proposed affirmative action ban (01/08/08) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A judge on Monday rewrote the ballot language for a proposal banning most government affirmative action programs in Missouri, striking down a version originally crafted by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan as unfair. Supporters of the ballot measure rejoiced in the ruling, but Carnahan vowed to appeal... Two attorney general candidates visit area (01/03/08) State lawmakers seeking to step into the attorney general's office are using the last week before the Missouri Legislature convenes to hit the road in search of support. Senate President Pro Tem Mike Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, and state Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis, made separate visits to the Southeast Missourian to explain their programs while on their way to other appointments... Eventful year may have led to more candidates for Cape school board (12/22/07) The Cape Girardeau School District's tumultuous year appears to have attracted a larger number of candidates than usual to run in the school board election. Last year, only two people ran for two available seats. This year, less than a week after filing began, four people have said they will run... Filing period for most elections starts today (12/18/07) The filing period for elections in many cities, school districts and boards begins today and continues through Jan. 22. Elections for these offices will be April 8. For more information, contact local election officials. Blunt seeks tougher state laws against illegal immigration; must be approved (12/18/07) CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt proposed a series of new state laws Monday that would crack down on illegal immigration. The measures would penalize businesses that employ illegal immigrants or transport them, and would prohibit the creation of so-called "sanctuary cities" that prohibit local police from checking immigration documents... Ex-auditor will run for Cape County commission (11/23/07) Weldon Macke moved from the fence to the field this week, announcing he is definitely seeking a return to county government as the District 1 commissioner for Cape Girardeau County. Macke, a former county auditor, had been considering the contest for the seat being vacated by 15-year commission veteran Larry Bock, citing financial concerns as the source of his reluctance. ... Two to compete for Cape city council seat (11/11/07) Steven Peel is tossing his name into Cape Girardeau's upcoming city council election. Peel, a Ward 5 resident, will run against candidate Mark Lanzotti. Peel said he has no particular beef with Lanzotti. "I just don't think anybody should run unopposed," Peel said. "I think people should have a choice."... Five may run for county commission (11/11/07) The list of people seeking the open seat on the Cape Girardeau County Commission is growing. Incumbent Larry Bock, a Republican who represents Jackson and most of the county's rural precincts, said in October that he will not seek another four-year term in the post he has held since 1992. ... Democrat to challenge Crowell for seat (10/30/07) Ellen Dillon has been a peace activist, a speech and communications instructor and a goodwill ambassador doing performances in Russia, Siberia, Jamaica and China. On Monday, Dillon said she's ready for a new role -- Democratic candidate for state Senate. Dillon, an instructor with the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Communications, hopes to unseat state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, in the six-county 27th Senate District... Bock not seeking re-election (10/22/07) Four years after winning his primary with less than one-third of the vote in a nine-way contest, Associate Commissioner Larry Bock said he won't seek re-election to the post he's held since 1992. Bock, who first won election by unseating incumbent Leonard Sander, said that at age 69 he's ready for retirement. ... Kasten enters race for 158th (09/20/07) Cape Girardeau Republicans will reach back into their past for a nominee in the Feb. 5 special election to replace Nathan Cooper in the Missouri House. Former state representative Mary Kasten, 79, will ask the 158th District House Republican Committee for the GOP nomination this evening during a meeting at Dexter Bar-B-Que. Kasten, who first won the seat in 1982, stepped aside in 2000 when her late husband, Dr. Melvin Kasten, fell ill... Prospective candidate bows out of House race (09/18/07) Retired Air Force officer Wayne Wallingford picked up an endorsement Monday in his bid for the Missouri House when one of his rivals for the GOP nomination stepped aside. Harry Rediger, a retired businessman and member of the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission, withdrew from the race in a letter sent to Holly Lintner, chairwoman of the Republican committee that will make the nomination... Two GOP members plan to seek nomination (09/11/07) At least two Republicans will publicly compete for their party's nomination to run in the special legislative election Feb. 5. Harry Rediger, a retired manager of J.C. Penney Co.'s Cape Girardeau store, and Wayne Wallingford, a retired Air Force officer and executive with McDonald's of Southeast Missouri, said Monday that they will pursue the GOP slot on the ballot. ... Democrats choose former postmaster for House race (09/07/07) The first person up for the Democratic Party was the last one standing. Mike Keefe, former Cape Gir­ardeau postmaster and chairman of the Cape Girardeau Parks Advisory Board, won the nomination Thursday evening as candidate for the 158th District Missouri House seat left open by the resignation of Nathan Cooper... Republicans looking for candidate to fill seat (08/28/07) Cape Girardeau Republicans will have a strong advantage in the February election to replace Nathan Cooper but potential candidates aren't hurrying to take on the race. During a meeting of the county's Republican Central Committee on Monday evening, Diane Diebold, vice-chairwoman of the committee, said no one has stepped up and told her they definitely want to run. ... Sales tax extension won't be on Nov. ballot (08/27/07) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners have decided not to ask voters for an extension of the half-cent sales tax for law enforcement this November. Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said Thursday that, for the time being, the county will not ask voters to renew the tax that expires Sept. 30, 2008. The deadline for placing items on the November ballot is Tuesday... Gov. Blunt picks date for special election (08/25/07) Party leaders seem content with Gov. Matt Blunt's decision to put off until Feb. 5 a special election for Cape Girardeau's seat in the Missouri House. Blunt announced the election date late Friday. In an e-mail response to a telephone message, spokeswoman Jessica Robinson pointed out that Feb. 5 is the next date when voters across the state will be going to the polls. The special election in Cape Girardeau and two other vacant districts will coincide with the presidential primary election... Three Cape council seats up for grabs (08/09/07) The next Cape Girardeau City Council election is more than six months away, but the groundwork for campaigning is about to begin. Terms for three city council members' seats will expire. One official can't run again. Another isn't sure. The third, Loretta Schneider, is already planning to compete... Parks tax could be on Feb. ballot (07/11/07) On Monday, Mike Keefe was optimistic about getting a half-cent tax increase on November's ballot. He changed his mind Tuesday. Keefe, chairman of Cape Gir?ardeau's parks and recreations advisory board, says there's not enough time to gather all the information the city council requested to meet an election deadline... Kinder unveils new high-tech campaign site (07/10/07) Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder wants to do something new for his re-election campaign. The Cape Girardeau Republican, first elected in 2004, is establishing a Web site that will feature a blog, a town-hall type forum area and Kinder providing video answers to questions submitted by users... Bollinger Co. makes sales tax permanent (04/04/07) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County voters decided Tuesday to make permanent a nearly 4-year-old half-cent sales tax. "I'm just extremely pleased with the citizens of this county. They saw there was a need, and without it, I don't know what we would have done. Now we can go on from here," said Presiding Commissioner Wayne Johnson... Perryville school bond fails (04/04/07) Voters for the second time in five months rejected a proposed $3.36 million bond issue to improve the Perryville school campus, while school tax measures in the Delta and Altenburg school districts passed. In Jackson, voters elected retired teacher Dan Stover and re-elected Gerald Adams to the Jackson school board Tuesday. ... Scott County rejects sales tax (04/04/07) BENTON, Mo. -- A half-cent sales tax extension for law enforcement in Scott County was defeated Tuesday in an election that saw only 14.84 percent of the county's 25,085 registered voters cast ballots. The vote was close and split largely along rural-urban and north-south lines. The tax extension was defeated 1,923 to 1,658, with most Sikeston-area precincts voting against the tax by large margins, according to unofficial vote totals... Mayor's race goes to Lohr (04/04/07) A return to peace on the Jackson Board of Aldermen will be a top priority for mayor-elect Barbara Lohr, who said Tuesday night she was disappointed by opponent David Reiminger's campaign during the last week of the race. Lohr defeated Reiminger by 81 votes, winning three of Jackson's four wards. Reiminger won only in Ward 2, which he has represented on the Board of Aldermen for 14 years. Write-in candidate John Graham ran well behind the leaders... Water district voters turn down $1.5 million bond issue (04/04/07) Voters in Cape Girardeau County's Public Water Supply District No. 2 on Tuesday defeated a $1.5 million revenue bond that would have extended and improved the waterworks system. The measure lost 190-107. The district supplies water to about 700 customers from west of Burfordville to Oak Ridge, including the Millersville area, and that number is increasing... Loretta Mohorc wins Chaffee mayor race (04/04/07) Chaffee voters selected their new mayor in Tuesday's election in a close vote between two sitting city council members, Loretta Mohorc and Jesse "Jack" Nordin, in a race that had no incumbent. Mohorc edged out Nordin 314 to 275, according to unofficial totals from the Scott County clerk's office. ... Newcomer beats incumbent in Jackson Ward 3 (04/04/07) Jackson voters retired the senior member of the board of aldermen Tuesday, giving newcomer Mark Dambach a narrow victory over 16-year Alderwoman Val Tuschhoff. Tuschhoff and her supporters seemed stunned when the results were posted that showed she had lost her Ward 3 seat by 33 votes. "I did 16 years for the people, and I guess they got somebody else to take a turn in the reins," she said... Perry County sales tax fails (04/04/07) Perry County voters rejected a three-eighths-cent sales tax to fund a $3.5 million project to repair and remodel the county jail and sheriff's office. The final results were 1,230 no votes to 1,188 yes votes. "I am, of course, disappointed that it failed but encouraged by the slim margin," said Sheriff Gary Schaaf. "It almost made it."... 3 seek to lead Jackson as mayor (04/01/07) When the contest to become the next mayor of Jackson officially began in December, the race quickly stacked up as a choice between two city hall insiders with modest differences on city issues against an outsider who wanted to shake up the status quo... Candidates in Leopold suggest boundary change (03/31/07) Allegations that as many as 42 students in the Leopold School District -- nearly a fourth of total enrollment in the small, rural school system -- are enrolled illegally have the district's school board candidates suggesting school boundary lines need to be changed... School board candidates (03/31/07) Two seats will be filled in each school board election, except in the Altenburg School District where three positions will be filled Tuesday. Perryville and Zalma candidates will appear in Sunday's Southeast Missourian. Scott City School District Incumbent... Candidates in Delta say time for arguing over (03/30/07) The candidates for the Delta Board of Aldermen are agreed -- it is time to put the bickering behind and concentrate on serious problems confronting the south Cape Girardeau County town of about 500. In the past two years, the four-member board has had 10 people seated for varying lengths of time. ... Bond issue would extend water lines (03/30/07) On Tuesday's ballot, voters in Public Water Supply District No. 2 of Cape Girardeau County will decide on a $1.5 million revenue bond to extend and improve the waterworks system. More houses have been built in the area from west of Burfordville to Oak Ridge, including Millersville, and the number of users on the current water line has increased from 500 to about 700 since 2001. The board has plans to dig another well, although it does not yet have the money to do so... Bollinger Co. pushing to make sales tax permanent (03/29/07) Bollinger County voters will decide Tuesday whether to make a nearly 4-year-old half-cent sales tax permanent. County officials say they need the money just to tread budgetary water. "We're not asking for a sales tax increase. We're just wanting to maintain what we've got already. And if we don't get it we'll probably have to make some cuts," Presiding Commissioner Wayne Johnson said... 3 schools have tax plans on ballot (03/29/07) Future school construction in three Southeast Missouri school districts could hinge on the outcome of tax issues on Tuesday's ballot. The small, rural Delta and Altenburg school districts have issues on the ballot in an effort to secure more state aid, and the Perryville School District has a bond issue on the ballot for the second time since November... Cairo official charged with four felonies (03/29/07) CAIRO, Ill. -- City Councilman Elbert "Bo" Purchase launched into a obscenity-laced verbal attack on Mayor Paul Farris and five city employees last September that included physical threats and racial slurs, according to documents included with a criminal complaint filed against Purchase... Mo. independent candidates could face same filing deadlines (03/27/07) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Independent candidates would need to file for office at the same time as those running in political party primaries, under legislation given initial House approval. Current law requires independents to file for office by the 15th Monday before the general election, which puts the deadline shortly before Missouri's August party primary election... Jackson hopefuls say new school needed (03/21/07) The Jackson School District will need to build a new elementary school at some point to handle growing enrollment, school board candidates said Tuesday night. Three of the four candidates seeking two positions on the school board attended a candidate forum at the Jackson Middle School library. The candidates -- Dan Stover, Marc Harris and incumbent Gerald Adams -- answered questions posed by a moderator and members of the audience... Officials campaign to extend sales tax (03/19/07) As the April election approaches, Scott County commissioners are engaging in a public-relations campaign, talking to county residents and municipal officials about their proposal to indefinitely extend the half-cent sales tax for law enforcement. Over the past few weeks the county's three commissioners -- Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger, First District Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn and Second District Commissioner Ron McCormick -- have made their case for the tax to municipal boards throughout the county, and at other public opportunities.. ... Clintons, Obama honor activists (03/05/07) SELMA, Ala. -- Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton crossed campaign paths for the first time Sunday as they paid homage to civil rights activists who they said helped give them the chance to break barriers to the White House. The two candidates and former President Clinton, making his first appearance with his wife since her campaign began, linked arms with activists who 42 years ago were attacked by police with billyclubs during a peaceful voting rights march. ... Cairo ousts Farris (02/28/07) CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo voters rejected Mayor Paul Farris' bid for a second term Tuesday while at the same time nominating three incumbent city council members for new terms. The closely watched primary election -- observers were on hand from the Illinois Attorney General's office and the state Board of Elections -- was the voters' verdict on four years of bitter fighting between Farris and a council majority that fought him on most major issues... Two Jackson mayoral candidates make their case to club (02/16/07) Two members of the Jackson Board of Aldermen vying for a promotion took their case Thursday to the Cape Girardeau County Pachyderm Club. David Reiminger and Barbara Lohr are seeking to replace seven-term Mayor Paul Sander. In their presentations to about a dozen members of the Republican club, each cited a resume of civic involvement and a commitment to continued growth in the city of 12,750 people... Term-limited Republicans hovering for offices (02/12/07) ST. LOUIS -- In the childhood game of musical chairs, participants walk in a circle, all lunging for a seat when the song stops. One person gets left out. Now consider if some of the participants were already seated as others walked in a circle around them. When the music stops, it sure would be hard to grab a seat... Voters OK library tax by 119 votes (02/07/07) Tuesday was a night of churning stomachs for library supporters, but in the end Cape Girardeau voters approved the expansion of the public library by 119 votes. The measure asked for an $8.9 million addition to the Cape Girardeau Public Library to be funded by doubling the portion of the property tax for library use on homes within the Cape Girardeau district. The final tally was 1,249 votes for the measure, 1,130 against... Former Jackson mayoral candidate will not be placed back on ballot after losing lawsuit (02/07/07) The field in the contest for mayor of Jackson was set Tuesday when John Graham, a businessman who filed a lawsuit to win a ballot slot, lost a ruling from Judge Benjamin Lewis. At the end of more than 90 minutes of argument and testimony, Lewis ruled Graham's failure to pay his property taxes before the last day to file for the mayoral job made him ineligible to run. ... Extension of Scott Co. law enforcement sales tax to appear on April 3 ballot (01/25/07) Scott County will ask voters to keep its current law enforcement sales tax this April. County Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said the commission has placed a question on the April 3 ballot that will ask voters to extend the current half-cent sales tax for law enforcement that is set to expire in September 2008. The extension would not be time-limited, said Burger... Swingle to open nepotism probe involving Delta mayor, brother-in-law (01/24/07) Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Tuesday he will investigate allegations of nepotism against Delta Mayor Carol Collins. But the probe, begun as a result of a complaint from a Delta resident, isn't a top priority for the office, Swingle said. ... Delta candidate bumped from ballot (01/23/07) DELTA, Mo. -- A convicted felon resigned Monday from the Delta Board of Aldermen and withdrew as a candidate on the April ballot after questions surfaced about his qualifications to serve. A second incumbent alderman seeking re-election was barred from the ballot for failure to pay property taxes... Library expansion plan banks on vote (01/22/07) There are several ways of looking at the proposal to increase property taxes for an $8.9 million plan to expand and renovate the Cape Girardeau Public Library. One way is to look at the tax in isolation, which means that the portion of the property tax most city residents pay for the library will almost double. Another way is to look at the total property tax bill that will be due in December. The tax measure will stand alone in a special election Feb. 6... Jackson mayoral candidate out of the running due to unpaid property taxes (01/20/07) Jackson businessman John Graham, who wanted to be the first outsider to win the mayor's job in decades, was kicked off the ballot Friday because he hasn't paid his 2006 property taxes. The certified ballot omitted Graham because records at the Cape Girardeau County Collector's office showed the delinquency, said Mary Lowry, Jackson city clerk. Graham had been the first to file for mayor Dec. 12... Cairo has no ballots for city election (01/19/07) CAIRO, Ill. -- No applicants have been seeking to cast absentee ballots for the Feb. 27 municipal elections in Cairo, Alexander County Clerk Kent Thomas said Thursday. That's good, he said, because there aren't any ballots yet. "No one has been turned away," Thomas said. "No one has even tried yet."... No surprises as filing closes for Cape County elections (01/17/07) The last day of filing brought no new candidates in the open contest for Jackson mayor. And in Delta, six candidates filed for four seats on the Board of Aldermen. The last time the mayor's job in Jackson changed hands in 1993, Paul Sander defeated 20-year incumbent Carlton Meyer... Candidates file for seats on area school boards (01/17/07) The following candidates have filed as candidates for area school boards. The deadline to file was 5 p.m. Tuesday. Unless indicated, two positions are to be filled on each board. Under state law, no election will be held where there are only as many candidates as positions available. Those candidates automatically will take office after the April election... Today is filing deadline for school board candidates (01/16/07) Filing for school board seats ends today. But voters already are faced with deciding contested races for school board in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau school districts. In Jackson, four people have filed for the two seats including incumbent Gerald Adams. The latest candidate to file is Brian Dameron, a mechanical engineer... Filing deadline nears for local offices (01/15/07) In all, there are 24 political subdivisions that will hold candidate elections in Cape Girardeau County April 3. The elections range from seats on local fire protection district boards to town councils. The only countywide election is for two seats on the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center Board of Trustees. Incumbent Roland Sander was the only candidate as of late last week. Diane Howard is the other incumbent... Challenger joins Jackson race (01/09/07) A lifelong Jackson resident pushing "quality of life" issues filed late last week as a challenger to 16-year incumbent alderwoman Valerie Tuschoff in the city's Third Ward. Mark Dambach, 50, shop supervisor for Biomedical Services at Southeast Missouri Hospital, is making his first foray into politics. ... Qualifications of some candidates questioned (01/04/07) The list of candidates for city offices in Cairo, Ill., could be shortened Friday when a panel of officials hears evidence of whether some contenders don't meet the qualifications set out in state law. When filing closed last month, 10 candidates for mayor and 26 candidates for city council seats had declared their interest and brought petitions bearing at least 16 nominating signatures to city offices. ... Chaffee mayoral candidates number four with recent filings for April election (01/03/07) Chaffee's field of mayoral candidates has expanded to four with less than two weeks left in the filing period for the April municipal election. The most recent candidate to enter the race is Ron Davis, a general contractor with 15 to 20 years of experience in Chafee's city government as a councilman. Davis, a Chaffee resident for about 40 years, said he thinks the city government should be run similar to a business, providing service as efficiently as possible to its customers, city residents... Carnahan won't run for governor (12/28/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said Wednesday that she will not run for governor in 2008, squelching speculation of a Democratic primary showdown against Attorney General Jay Nixon. Carnahan, the daughter of the late governor Mel Carnahan and former Sen. Jean Carnahan, told The Associated Press she had seriously considered a gubernatorial bid but will instead seek re-election as secretary of state... Two people file for Cape School Board (12/20/06) Two people filed for Cape Girardeau school board Tuesday, including board member Laura Sparkman. Cape Girardeau resident Don Howard Jr. also filed as a candidate. They joined Paul Nenninger, who filed as a candidate on the first day of filing Dec. 12... 10 file for mayoral post in Cairo (12/19/06) CAIRO, Ill. -- The list of mayoral candidates grew to 10 Monday as filing for office ended, with another 26 Cairo residents seeking the six seats on the city council. The most prominent new candidate to file Monday was 12-year council veteran Carolyn Ponting, who immediately drew an endorsement from outgoing councilman-at-large Joey Thurston. ... Lawmakers face clamor for cash (12/18/06) When the Missouri Legislature returns to work Jan. 3, its spending choices will be dramatically different than they were as recently as two years ago, when legally mandated spending was projected at more than $1 billion more than revenue. The Republican-controlled legislature, along with new GOP governor Matt Blunt, responded by changing the laws that governed their budget choices, cutting thousands from Medicaid rolls and rewriting the formula for distributing aid to public schools. ... Seven file to become Cairo mayor (12/16/06) CAIRO, Ill. -- Seven candidates have filed to become the mayor of Cairo, which has been politically paralyzed for much of the last four years by a feud between incumbent Paul Farris and the city council. Farris was among the first to file, as was one of his chief antagonists on the council, Bobby Whitaker. ... Two Chaffee council members enter mayoral race (12/14/06) Two members of the Chaffee City Council have put their names into the race for Chaffee's open mayoral seat after the first two days of filing for the April municipal election. Current council members Loretta "Rhetta" Mohorc, Ward 2 and Jesse "Jack" Nordin, Ward 4, filed for the position along with Hope Huey, who does not serve on the council... Jackson to elect mayor, four aldermen (12/10/06) Five job openings for Jackson residents offer low pay and some late work hours but include a good benefits package for anyone who can stick with the work for five years or more. One hitch, however, is that candidates must pitch their resumes to several thousand bosses... Attorney general says automated political calls should be added to no-call law list (11/16/06) ST. LOUIS -- The novelty of an automated political call from former President Clinton, Sen. Kit Bond or other political celebrities apparently wore off quickly for some Missourians this political season. Attorney General Jay Nixon, urging protection from automated political calls on Wednesday, said some Missourians reported receiving as many as eight of them in a single night in the final days of the midterm elections... Voter errors delayed returns in some Southeast Missouri counties (11/09/06) Election night difficulties led to late returns from some area counties Tuesday night, causing final vote counts to be delayed until near midnight in some cases. In both Stoddard and Mississippi counties, several ballots were rejected by optical scan machines and had to be taken before a resolution board to verify voter intent... Winners planning for new jobs; losers, next race (11/09/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian The barrage of on-air advertising, direct mail and telephone calls is over, and Marble Hill, Mo., voter Lela Green was ready for it to end after voting Tuesday. Green, who at 80 has been voting since Harry Truman was president, said she was almost unable to use her telephone with all the intrusive pleas for a vote... Stem-cell opponents to continue seeking restrictions in Missouri (11/09/06) The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Supporters of a groundbreaking constitutional amendment protecting stem-cell research in Missouri hoped for a mandate from Tuesday's narrow victory. Instead, they could be facing a backlash. Despite being outspent by nearly $27 million in an effort that had backing from the state's Republican governor and its business leaders, opponents of the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative took solace Wednesday in a defeat by fewer than 47,000 votes out of a total of nearly 2.1 million cast.. ... Light rail finally gets green light in K.C. (11/09/06) The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- City officials in Kansas City were reeling Wednesday, a day after voters approved a ballot initiative that requires the city to build a light-rail system. Expected to go down in flames like six previous ballot attempts had, the initiative instead passed overwhelmingly in four metro area counties, despite what critics said was a lack of specifics on how the project would work and a source of money too small to do the job... Democrats gain full control of Congress with win in Virginia (11/09/06) By BOB LEWIS The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. -- Democrat Jim Webb won Virginia's pivotal Senate race Wednesday, unseating Republican George Allen and giving the Democrats total control of Congress for the first time in 12 years. After GOP Sen. Conrad Burns' loss in Montana, the Virginia contest was the last undecided Senate race in the country. Webb's victory gave the Democrats 51 Senate seats and majorities in both the House and Senate for the first time since 1994... Dow Jones hits another record following Democratic congressional wins (11/09/06) By TIM PARADIS The Associated Press NEW YORK -- Wall Street rose for a third straight session Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrials reaching another record close as investors grew more confident that a huge victory by Democrats in congressional elections would result in gridlock and keep lawmakers out of the way of business interests... Lewis defeats Heisserer second time for judge seat (11/08/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian In a race that ended in a mirror image of the 2004 contest, Circuit Judge Ben Lewis won two of three counties in the 32nd Judicial Circuit to win a full six-year term on the bench. In 2004, a big win in the smallest constituency, Bollinger County, provided Lewis, a Republican, with the edge needed to take the seat from John Heisserer, a Democrat. In this year's race, Bollinger County went to Heisserer while Lewis captured Perry and Cape Girardeau counties... Republican candidates sweep Bollinger County races (11/08/06) By SCOTT MOYERS Southeast Missourian MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Two incumbents won easily, but a third candidate had to sweat out an evening of ups and downs before winning in a Republican sweep in Bollinger County races for circuit clerk, recorder of deeds and treasurer... Vote totals show Stewart ahead of McGlynn in appellate court race (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian A Southern Illinois judge pushing for more diversity in the Metro East-favored 5th Judicial District of the Illinois Appellate Court appeared to unseat the incumbent judge. Saline County Judge Bruce Stewart ran on the Democratic ticket against Republican Judge Stephen McGlynn in Tuesday's election for the appellate district, which encompasses Illinois's 37 southernmost counties... Democrats, Republicans split Ill. 115th, 118th House seats (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- Two Illinois state representatives, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, appeared to be headed for victory Tuesday night in their re-election bids. State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, Ill., was winning by more than a 6,500-vote margin with results in from five of 11 counties in the 118th House District late Tuesday night... Voters back Democrat's bid for Union County sheriff (11/08/06) By KYLE W. MORRISON Southeast Missourian ANNA, Ill. -- There's a new sheriff in Union County, one who promises to help curb the drug problem in the area. Following the retirement of Jim Nash, Democrat David Livesay beat out Republican Steven J. Hoepker to become the county's new sheriff in Tuesday's election... Perry Co. rejects school bond issue (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Voters rejected a $3.36 million general obligation bond issue Tuesday that would have paid off debt for past school improvements and freed up money to further upgrade the Perryville public schools. The vote was 2,531 for the bonds to 3,514 against. The measure needed just over 57 percent approval to pass... Hodge wins 161st District seat for Dems (11/08/06) By MATT SANDERS Southeast Missourian CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Late returns from Mississippi County Tuesday night show Democrat Steve Hodges will replace Rep. Lanie Black in the 161st District of the Missouri House of Representatives. With all 36 precincts in the district reporting their unofficial totals to the Missouri Secretary of State's office, Hodges held a 153-vote lead over Republican Gary Branum, a New Madrid farmer. ... Republicans swept most legislative seats in area (11/08/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Republicans swept all but one of the contested area legislative races, losing the seat GOP committees spent more than $150,000 to defend. The only Democratic victory was in the 161st District, where Steve Hodges of East Prairie defeated Republican Gary Branum of New Madrid in a narrow victory... Jo Ann Emerson defeats former MSTA president Hambacker for sixth term (11/08/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, celebrated her election -day victory with more than 200 supporters at the Drury Lodge. Emerson beat Veronica Hambacker, 59-year-old former president of the Missouri State Teachers Association from Salem, Mo., and will enter her sixth term in Congress... Jones elected to fourth term as presiding commissioner (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian Cape Girardeau Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones cruised to a fourth term Tuesday, winning a landslide victory over challenger Victor Farrow. Jones, a Republican, ran on a record of sound fiscal management and economic expansion. Farrow, a Democrat, was almost invisible on the campaign trail, not attending many events or campaigning to any extent... GOP newcomer wins 160th (11/08/06) By MATT SANDERS Southeast Missourian SIKESTON, Mo. -- This year voters in the 160th District of the Missouri House of Representatives had a choice between two political newcomers -- Republican Ellen Brandom and Democrat Larry Tetley. Both are former business owners, both espoused conservative values, both are from Sikeston. On election night, voters overwhelmingly selected Brandom... Cooper wins first run as incumbent (11/08/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian State Rep. Nathan Cooper, R-Cape Girardeau, fended off a challenge from Democrat Matt Hill Tuesday to retain his seat in the 158th District of the Missouri House of Representatives by a comfortable margin. In Cooper's first run as an incumbent and first general election with a Democratic opponent, he received 62 percent of the 11,938 total votes cast... Wright retains seat in 159th District (11/08/06) By MATT SANDERS Southeast Missourian DEXTER, Mo. -- For the second time in two years voters in southwestern Cape Girardeau County appeared to have delivered the 159th District of the Missouri House of Representatives to Billy Pat Wright. In 2004, Cape Girardeau County voters in the 159th District helped put Wright in the Missouri House of Representatives for the first time... Voters in 156th District re-elect House speaker (11/08/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton was re-elected Tuesday to a fourth two-year term in the legislature. Jetton, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Michael Winder, an ironworker from Marquand, Mo... 70 Missouri counties reject Amendment 2 (11/08/06) By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- The eyes of scientists, politicians and business leaders across the country were on Missouri and its proposed constitutional amendment to protect stem-cell research Tuesday. Known as Amendment 2, the ballot measure was the only one nationally in Tuesday's election to directly address the disputed research technique... McCaskill, Talent race for Senate one of nation's closest (11/08/06) By DAVID A. LIEB The Associated Press Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill sought to take away the seat of Republican Jim Talent on Tuesday in one of the nation's tightest -- and potentially pivotal -- Senate races. After a $40 million contest that consumed thousands of campaign miles, early election results confirmed what polls had predicted: a close race... Blagojevich deflects scandal to win re-election (11/08/06) By CHRISTOPHER WILLS The Associated Press CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich persuaded Illinois voters to put aside any doubts about his honesty Tuesday and give him the chance to tackle an ambitious second-term agenda. His optimistic message -- coupled with millions of dollars worth of negative ads -- overwhelmed Republican Judy Baar Topinka's efforts to focus on federal investigations of the Blagojevich administration and the state's financial problems... Will rain wash out voters? (11/07/06) Voters in the Cape Girardeau area likely will face showers when they go to the polls today. Whether rain will affect the Election Day parade of voters remains to be seen. Light rain blanketed the area Monday, and forecasters said similar weather could greet people today with temperatures climbing into the mid-50s to low-60s... Changes could confuse vote (11/07/06) Whatever else you do in the voting booth today, don't circle the symbols. Despite the fact that the party symbols -- the Democratic donkey, the Republican elephant, the Independent Statue of Liberty and the Progressive leaf -- are still prominently displayed on the ballot, voters no longer have the option of voting a straight-party ticket... Campaigns frustrate voters (11/07/06) Thank goodness it's Election Day. By now, most Americans are sick and tired of all the negative political advertising. Television is saturated with so many political commercials this time of year that it's painful to watch. In addition, we're flooded with postcards urging us to vote for this candidate or that candidate. We're hounded by phone calls from various candidates and issue campaigns... House control rides on election outcome (11/06/06) WASHINGTON -- House control at stake, President Bush campaigned Sunday in endangered Republican districts across GOP-friendly middle America. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, hoping to become the first female speaker, stumped for Democratic challengers in the left-leaning Northeast... Talent lobbies for voter support, rallies troops at Cape stop (11/06/06) Two days before the midterm elections, U.S. Sen. Jim Talent made a final stop in Cape Girardeau Sunday asking voters for their support on Tuesday. During his visit to Cape Girardeau, Talent spoke about his accomplishments in the Senate and his record on issues like promoting renewable fuels, fighting methamphetamine and passing a Medicare prescription drug plan for seniors... McCaskill up all night pursuing votes; better-rested Talent flying around state (11/05/06) By SAM HANANEL The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Like a student cramming for final exams, Claire McCaskill pulled an all-nighter. The Democratic Senate candidate, scrambling for votes before Tuesday's election against Republican Sen. Jim Talent, embarked Friday night on a fast-paced tour of the St. Louis area. Her itinerary included more than 30 stops over 24 straight hours, and was to end with a rally Saturday night... Parties making last-minute push (11/05/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian In the last hours before the Nov. 7 midterm election, Democrat and Republican officials believe there is still time for races to be won or lost. "Missouri is a swing state. Missouri's margins are so small that this makes the difference. It made the difference in 2004, and it will make the difference in 2006," said Josh Haynes, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson... County clerks predict high voter turnout (11/05/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian A hotly contested U.S. Senate race and an emotional debate over stem cells should lead to a busy day at area polling places, area election officials said late Friday. Absentee voting in the region is running well ahead of past off-year elections, leading officials to predict a strong turnout... Perryville schools asking voters to approve $3.36 million bond (11/05/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville school officials want voters to approve a $3.36 million general obligation bond issue in Tuesday's election. The measure would increase the school district's tax levy by 31 cents per $100 assessed valuation for six years to pay off the bonds... Political system flush with cash heading into final days of campaign (11/04/06) By JIM KUHNHENN The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Wealthy Americans and legions of small donors are helping finance an onslaught of last-minute political advertising and a fierce voter turnout drive over the next three days, closing out a midterm election that is projected to cost more than $2.6 billion... Opponents in race for state representative focus their campaigns on business climate (11/04/06) HARRISBURG, Ill. -- State Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Harrisburg Democrat, says he's worked to bring jobs to Southern Illinois. But his Republican opponent, Rhonda Belford of Rosiclare, Ill., contends he hasn't done enough to improve the business climate and the economy in Illinois' largest geographical district... 115th District race pits Republican against Green Party candidate (11/04/06) MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- A fixture in Southern Illinois politics, state Rep. Mike Bost has served in the legislature for more than a decade. First elected in 1994, the Republican is once again seeking re-election to the 115th House District seat. He faces a challenge from Green Party candidate Charlie Howe, 62, of Carbondale, Ill... Thomas says state auditor's job not political 'stepping stone' (11/03/06) Missouri's state auditor post has seemingly been a jumping-off point for politicians like former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond and even current auditor Claire McCaskill, who is running for the U.S. Senate. But Sandra Thomas, the Republican state auditor candidate who was in Cape Girardeau Thursday, said that's not the case for her... Southern Ill. county sheriff candidates focus on improving communication (11/03/06) By KYLE W. MORRISON Southeast Missourian ANNA, Ill. -- In an open race for Union County sheriff, one challenger hopes to bring about change while the other plans to build on past successes of the department. Democrat David Livesay and Republican Steven J. Hoepker are vying for the open position left by a retiring David Nash... Candidates for commission seat want to boost county's economy (11/03/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian CAIRO, Ill. -- At various times over the past year, motorists driving through Alexander County could spy a solitary figure walking along the road, sometimes carrying a sign touting his candidacy for county office... Illinois sheriff's candidates aim to improve communications (11/03/06) By KYLE W. MORRISON Southeast Missourian CAIRO, Ill. -- Regardless of who takes the Alexander County sheriff's seat on Tuesday, the county's residents will be the winners if the candidates' similar plans come to pass. Both Democrat David Barkett and Republican Richard Grapentin are pushing 24-hour sheriff communications as one of their main goals in the upcoming election... RNC chairman optimistic about Tuesday vote (11/02/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, arrived at the Republican Party headquarters at 500 Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday for an unpublicized drop-in to motivate volunteers making phone calls for local candidates... U.S. Senate race finds opponents lobbying for votes in Cape (11/02/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Missouri's two major party candidates for U.S. Senate made Cape Girardeau their battleground Wednesday with Republican incumbent Jim Talent reaching out to shore up his conservative base and Democratic opponent Claire McCaskill hoping to energize area supporters... Republicans pouring big bucks into 161st District campaign (11/02/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian There's a big target on the 161st District Missouri House race and Republicans have made an enormous commitment to winning the contest by spending almost $150,000 to promote the GOP candidate. That spending is more than Republican Gary Branum and Democratic nominee Steve Hodges have raised in their combined efforts. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Lanie Black, R-Charleston, who is being forced out by term limits... Candidate: Government not helping war veterans (11/02/06) Southeast Missourian Congress needs to provide more funding to the Veterans Administration to improve medical services for veterans returning from the Iraq war, Democratic congressional candidate Veronica Hambacker said Wednesday in Cape Girardeau. Hambacker and ex-Marine Cloy Richards of Salem, Mo., said veterans who were injured in the war are returning home to find that they can't get timely medical care at VA hospitals... Voters to decide contested races for county office (11/02/06) By SCOTT MOYERS Southeast Missourian MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Six candidates are vying for three seats in Bollinger County races for circuit clerk, recorder of deeds and treasurer. And the candidates themselves are touting a need for change or the value of experience, depending on whether they're the incumbent or the challenger... Baptists oppose stem-cell measure (11/02/06) Delegates overwhelmingly supported a resolution against Amendment 2. By LINDA REDEFFER Southeast Missourian In the final day of its annual meeting, the Missouri Baptist Convention voiced overwhelming opposition to Missouri's proposed stem-cell amendment in a show-of-hands vote Wednesday... Major contributors in the 159th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Billy Pat Wright, Republican; Boyce Wooley, Democrat Major contributors in the 160th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Gary Branum, Republican; Steve Hodges, Democrat Major contributors in the 156th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Rod Jetton, Republican; Michael Winder, Democratic Major contributors in the race for Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner (11/02/06) Gerald Jones, Republican; Victor Farrow, Democrat Major contributors in the 160th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Ellen Brandom, Republican; Larry Tetley, Democrat Major contributors in the 158th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Nathan Cooper, Republican; Matt Hill, Democrat Major contributors in the 32nd Circuit judicial race (11/02/06) Ben Lewis, Republican; John Heisserer, Democratic Challenger hopes to block presiding commissioner's bid (11/01/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones is making one more lap around the political circuit as he seeks a fourth term as presiding commissioner. Opposing Jones is Teamsters Local 600 business agent Victor Farrow, who hasn't raised any money, put out many yard signs or appeared at many campaign functions... Democrats, Republicans battle for control of House seat (11/01/06) For eight years, the 161st District of the Missouri House of Representatives has been under Republican control. But the situation used to be much different. Before Charleston resident Lanie Black won election to the seat in 1998, the 161st District was a faithful Democratic seat for decades. His first election was the exception, not the rule... Newcomers attempt to lay claim to House district (11/01/06) Voters in the 160th District of the Missouri House of Representatives will face a tough choice Nov. 7. The two political newcomers competing for the seat, Republican Ellen Brandom and Democrat Larry Tetley, place strong emphasis on conservative social values... GOP faithful flock to Cape to campaign for Sen. Talent (10/31/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian U.S. Sens. Jim Talent and Kit Bond and a veritable who's who of Missouri politicians are traveling around the state to drum up support in the last days before the neck-and-neck Senate race. On Monday in Cape Girardeau, Talent instructed people in the enthusiastic crowd to do their part to get out the vote... Judicial race repeats '04 match-up (10/30/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian The outcome of most area elections wasn't in doubt after ballot counting began in 2004. One contest, however, wasn't over until the last votes were tallied. Democratic incumbent Judge John Heisserer survived an avalanche of straight-party Republican votes in Cape Girardeau and Perry counties only to fall by 272 votes to Republican Ben Lewis on the strength of the GOP vote in Bollinger County... Eighth District opponents keep to the high road (10/30/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, is taking nothing for granted in her race for a sixth term in Congress. "I think I have visited 26 of the 28 counties in the district over the past four weeks, and hopefully by Tuesday I'll visit the last two," she said in a phone call Friday afternoon when a rained-out campaign stop gave her a chance to "take an hour for myself."... Blue-collar challenger seeks to unseat speaker (10/30/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton says the state has improved its roads in recent years, but Democratic challenger Michael Winder contends that a major highway in Jetton's district remains a driving nightmare. Winder's sister and several of his friends died in traffic accidents on Highway 34, a narrow, two-lane highway with sharp twists and turns... Like state, area split on stem cells (10/29/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Local voices taking part in the stem-cell research debate mirror the split statewide over Amendment 2, the highest-profile issue on the Nov. 7 ballot. Supporters highlight the hope embryonic stem-cell research raises to find cures for some of the most debilitating diseases afflicting humans. ... Battle lines drawn over tobacco tax (10/29/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian On Nov. 7, Missourians will be asked to vote on Amendment 3. If approved, the change to the state constitution would increase taxes on tobacco products by 80 cents. Missouri's tobacco tax is currently 17 cents, the second-lowest rate in the nation... Measure could make raises easier for state officials (10/29/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian Missouri's judges, legislators and statewide elected officials could find it easier to get pay raises under a provision of constitutional Amendment 7 on the Nov. 7 ballot. The issue has sparked debate among lawmakers with some charging it's a sneaky way for colleagues in the legislature to vote themselves pay raises. Others say it's a way to fix a broken salary system... Proposition B asks voters to raise minimum wage in Missouri (10/29/06) By SCOTT MOYERS Southeast Missourian For years, Tim Weatherly paid his Southeast Missouri State University student employees the bare minimum -- $5.15 an hour. But the regional district manager for Chartwells, which operates the university's dining facilities, found staying competitive increasingly difficult as employees opted to take jobs at a higher rate of pay... Mo. Baptist Convention to address stem-cell issue (10/27/06) When 2,000 Missouri Baptist Convention members convene in Cape Girardeau next week, the state's proposed stem-cell amendment is expected to be one of the controversial issues addressed. The 172nd annual meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention opens at the Show Me Center on Monday and continues through late Wednesday morning... Stem-cell issue attracts stars, merging with Senate race in Missouri (10/26/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The battle over stem-cell research in Missouri certainly doesn't lack star power. Ailing actor Michael J. Fox, rock star cancer-survivor Sheryl Crow, Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner, Wednesday's starting World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan and celebrities galore have all given voters their two cents... State Senate candidates stake hopes on rural votes (10/23/06) CLINTON, Mo. -- At a beauty salon along Main Street in this small, western Missouri town, Debbie Cross vents her frustration over the lingering Iraq war, gas prices and a litany of other national woes. "I feel like it's turning into another Vietnam," said the 48-year-old bank teller from nearby Appleton City. She voted for Republican Sen. Jim Talent four years ago, but says she's leaning toward his Democratic opponent, state Auditor Claire McCaskill, on Nov. 7 in the closely contested race... Papers sound off on Senate race, stem cells, tobacco tax (10/23/06) ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sunday endorsed state auditor Claire McCaskill for Missouri's next U.S. senator, citing "her independence, her attitude and her grasp of the real problems" faced by Missouri and the nation today. The Post-Dispatch and The Kansas City Star both endorsed the stem-cell initiative, while the Springfield News-Leader urged its defeat. ... Election judge acknowledges casting two absentee ballots (10/22/06) MAPLEWOOD, Mo. -- A veteran Republican election judge will not be allowed to work at the polls Nov. 7 after acknowledging he illegally cast two absentee ballots. St. Louis County Election Board chairman John Diehl said the man -- the second judge caught double-voting this year -- was elderly and told election officials that he hadn't meant to vote twice. Diehl declined to identify the judge... Major contributors in the 32nd Judicial Circuit contest (10/19/06) Major donors in the contest for circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Donors are from Cape Girardeau unless otherwise noted. John Heisserer, Democrat: Tom O'Loughlin, Oak Ridge, $325; Teresa O'Loughlin, Oak Ridge, $325; Byrd Township Democrats, Jackson, $325; Norman Robert, $100; Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee, $325; Electrical Workers Local No. ... Major contributors in the 161st District contest (10/19/06) Steve Hodges, Democrat: Gary Branum, Republican: Plaza Tire Service Inc., Cape Girardeau, $325; Howard Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Construction Co. LLC, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Management, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Bonne Terre Land Co. ... Major contributors in the 158th District contest (10/19/06) Donors are from Cape Girardeau unless otherwise noted. Matt Hill, Democrat: Larry Dixon, Arlington, Mass., $325; Jennie Cooper, $100. Nathan Cooper, Republican: 32nd District Republican Legislative Committee, Kansas City, Mo., $3,000; John Tlapek, $325; Fred Wilferth, $100; Government Affairs Committee, St. ... Major contributors in the 160th District contest (10/19/06) Larry Tetley, Democrat: Ellen Brandom, Republican: Robert and Linda Brandom, Parkville, Mo., $200; Deborah Hutter, Quincy, Ill., $295; Robert Hutter, Quincy, Ill., $325; Gary Rust, Cape Girardeau, $325; Missouri Association of Insurance Financial Advisors PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $250; Loren and Deborah Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio, $300; Big River Aviation, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Construction, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Management, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Land Co., Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Larry Braden, Sikeston, Mo., $325; Richard and Christy Montgomery, Sikeston, Mo., $325; Howard Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City PAC for Missouri, Kansas City, Mo., $325; 158th Legislative District Committee, Cape Girardeau, $325; Mike and Dawn Parker, Sikeston, Mo., $200; Missouri Cable PAC, Independence, Mo., $325; Missouri GOPAC, Kansas City, Mo., $325; Missouri State Teachers Association, Columbia, Mo., $325; Missouri Pharmacy PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $250; Missouri Hospital Association Health PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $150; Realtors PAC, Columbia, Mo., $325; Vernon Rhodes Family Partners, L.P., Cape Girardeau, $175; Plaza Tire, Cape Girardeau, $325; Southeast Missouri Dental PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $200; Missouri Dental PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Committee to Re-Elect Jay Knudtson Mayor, Cape Girardeau, $150; Charles and Carole Ozean, Cape Girardeau, $325; Citizens for Bearden, St. ... Democrats rally fund-raising forces, lag behind GOP (10/19/06) Most area Democrats seeking state offices improved their fund-raising records during September, but only one candidate, judicial hopeful John Heisserer, has exceeded his GOP opponent for the entire year. According to campaign reports filed this week, Heisserer, who is trying to regain the judicial post he lost to Ben Lewis in 2004, has raised $54,704. Lewis, a Republican hoping to win a full six-year term as circuit judge, has raised $23,140... Major contributors in the 156th District contest (10/19/06) 156th Legislative Democratic Committee, Fredericktown, Mo., $525; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, St. Louis, Mo., $325; Madison County Democratic Club, Fredericktown, Mo., $325; Madison County Democratic Central Committee, Fredericktown, Mo., $200; Committee to Elect Hambacker, Salem, Mo., $150; Collin Follis, Fredericktown, Mo., $100; Merritt Gerlach, Cape Girardeau, $300; Cape Area Democratic Meet Up Group, Cape Girardeau, $325; Law offices of V. ... Major contributors in the 159th District contest (10/19/06) Donors are from Dexter, Mo., unless otherwise noted. Boyce Wooley, Democrat: Wayne County Democratic Central Committee, Williamsville, Mo., $150; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Educational Committee, Washington, D.C., $100; Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee, Jackson, $325; United Transportation Union PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; L.W. Maddox, Clarkton, Mo., $325; Nixon for Governor, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Ryan Holden, $325... Court rules against state voter ID law (10/17/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters won't need to show a photo ID at the polls after all, after the state Supreme Court on Monday struck down the new requirement. A lower judge ruled last month that the ID requirement was an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental right to vote. The Supreme Court agreed in a 6-1 unsigned opinion... Community leader candidates part of Dems' bid to win Statehouse seats (10/16/06) ST. LOUIS -- Missouri Democrats' strategy to recruit well-known community leaders to run in next month's election has resulted in tight races in more than a dozen swing districts around the state. The Democrats stand to win back some seats in the Statehouse, a point acknowledged by the legislature's Republican leaders. But while no one expects the party to seize control of either chamber, Democrats say they would be happy just to halt a 20-year slide... Foley scandal, Iraq war topics of Emerson speech at GOP picnic (10/14/06) Local Republicans hoped to energize their base with a picnic Friday night at Cape County Park. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, state Rep. Nathan Cooper and others spoke to more than 100 of the party faithful. Polls have shown a high level of dissatisfaction among Republicans over handling of the scandal surrounding Mark Foley and the Iraq war... State Supreme Court rules tobacco tax increase can appear on ballot (10/12/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters can consider a proposal to raise the state's tobacco tax on Nov. 7, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The court unanimously held that proponents of the increase collected enough valid signatures from voters to secure a ballot spot for proposed Amendment 3 to the Missouri Constitution... Election officials allege group submitted hundreds of bogus voter registration cards (10/12/06) ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis election officials say hundreds of potentially bogus voter registration cards were submitted by a group that's been repeatedly criticized by other election leaders for registering invalid and potentially fraudulent voters. The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now -- or ACORN -- on Wednesday stood by the integrity of its not-for-profit mission, to send paid and volunteer workers around cities to sign up new voters... Kruse stumps for Talent at Cape campaign stop (10/11/06) Missouri Farm Bureau president Charlie Kruse, hoping to help U.S. Sen. Jim Talent win a full term, sought Tuesday to paint Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill as a liberal opposed to issues important to farmers. During a rally at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Kruse touted Republican Talent as an important ally for renewing farm support programs, helping agribusinesses and pushing the use of farm products to make fuel. ... Political sign set ablaze in area woman's yard (10/10/06) In the last four weeks, the pro-Democrat sign on Linda Sanders' property on County Road 618 off Interstate 55 has been vandalized twice. The latest on Friday involved arson, a felony. "I don't care if they burn my whole yard down, but I'm not taking my sign down," Sanders said... Blunt urges area Republicans to support Talent at Monday's GOP rally in Cape (10/10/06) Republican state leaders took credit for low unemployment, reduced methamphetamine use and a full state treasury during a stop Monday at Cape Girardeau County GOP headquarters. Gov. Matt Blunt, House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, and Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, urged about 100 people crammed into the Kingshighway office to work hard for more Republican victories on Nov. 7... Eighth District candidates to attend forum at tech center today (10/10/06) The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri will hold a candidate forum at 7 p.m. today at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. The league invited candidates for Eighth District U.S. Representative, State Auditor, Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner and Missouri House candidates in the 158th, 159th and 160th Districts... Missouri auditor's race takes negative turn (10/09/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Like pumpkins before Halloween, October is ripe with negative politics in an election season. Yet something seems just a little peculiar about the criticism arising in the state auditor's race. Put simply: The attacks just aren't the type of things people typically understand... Missouri Senate candidates clash on Foley scandal (10/09/06) WASHINGTON -- Candidates in Missouri's hotly contested Senate race clashed Sunday over the congressional page sex scandal and the war in Iraq, with the Democratic challenger saying House Speaker Dennis Hastert should quit. State Auditor Claire McCaskill said Hastert, R-Ill., and other GOP leaders failed to properly investigate when they first learned of former Rep. Mark Foley's e-mails to congressional pages... Obama stumps for McCaskill in Senate race with Talent (10/08/06) KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, headlining a rally for Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, whipped a Democratic crowd into shouts and applause Saturday by criticizing President Bush and saying Democrats must do more than complain to win November's elections... Election officials proceeding despite uncertainty over tobacco tax (10/07/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Nov. 7 election is only about a month away, and election officials still don't know for sure if a tobacco tax increase will be on the ballot. But at this late date, they're proceeding anyway. By law, absentee ballots had to be available by Sept. 26. A judge ordered the tobacco tax proposal onto the ballot Sept. 11, but the Supreme Court heard an appeal Wednesday and has yet to make a decision... Both sides take stem-cell debate to Southeast students (10/06/06) Experts on both sides of the embryonic stem-cell debate made their case to Southeast Missouri State University students Thursday night. More than 100 people listened as Lindsay Holwick of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures and Dr. Michael Wulfers of Missourians Against Human Cloning gave slide shows supporting their views... Outside money fuels Missouri Senate race (10/04/06) WASHINGTON -- Outside money is streaming into Missouri's U.S. Senate race as national political parties try to sway the outcome of a contest that polls are calling a dead heat. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee so far has spent about $1.4 million on television ads to boost State Auditor Claire McCaskill and slam her opponent, Republican Sen. Jim Talent, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission... One week left to register for next month's election (10/04/06) Time is running short for anyone who wants to vote on Nov. 7 to become registered. Voter rolls for the election close Oct. 11, said Patty Schlosser, director of elections for Cape Girardeau County. New voters can register in Jackson at the Administration Building and in Cape Girardeau at the county annex on Lorimier Street... Candidates for state representative races lobby for votes (10/03/06) When Laverne Nothdurft goes to the polls Nov. 7, she has a better idea of which Missouri House of Representative candidate she'll vote for. The retired Sears assistant service manager attended an informational forum sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County AARP on Monday. Candidates in the Missouri House 158th district race, incumbent Nathan Cooper and Matt Hill, and 159th district race, incumbent Billy Pat Wright and Boyce Wooley, met with about 35 retirees at their monthly meeting... Democrats target GOP at Cape picnic (10/01/06) Republican leaders in Washington, D.C., and Jefferson City came under fire Saturday for the ballooning federal debt, unclear war aims and indifference to the plight of working people, the poor and disabled during a Democratic Party picnic in County Park... Cape library to propose tax increase (09/30/06) The Cape Girardeau Public Library will ask voters to approve a 15-cent property tax increase in a special election Feb. 6. The tax increase would fund a $9 million project that would double the size of the facility on Clark Avenue to 38,860 square feet, library officials said... Missouri scientists quietly conduct stem-cell research (09/30/06) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The attention-grabbing TV ads, boisterous billboards and raucous radio spots offered at times by both sides in the growing debate over human embryonic stem-cell research obscure a more modest reality: Only a handful of scientists in Missouri are actually doing such work... Accusations by both sides heat up state auditor campaign (09/29/06) Missouri's Democratic candidate for state auditor, Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee, says her campaign was reluctant to make an election issue out of reported discrepancies in her opponent's job performance, but calls to her campaign office forced her hand on the issue... Talent, McCaskill question each other's 'facts' (09/25/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Whether debating the nation's energy policy or war against terror, Missouri's U.S. Senate candidates are spouting facts and figures galore while each accusing the other of stretching the truth. What's fact, what's fiction and what's fuzzy? That's sometimes hard to determine... Carnahan: Democrats only need to tell truth to win Nov. 7 (09/24/06) Local Democrats are confident that voters will see things their way in November. At the Cape Girardeau County Democrat Central Committee's annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan bolstered that confidence. Carnahan was the keynote speaker at the event, held on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. ... Two aldermen eye mayor's post (09/22/06) Jackson voters are likely to see at least one familiar candidate vying for mayor on the April ballot. After serving on the Jackson Board of Aldermen for the past four years, Barbara Lohr announced this week she will file in December for the mayor's seat... Judge strikes down voter ID law (09/15/06) A judge struck down Missouri's new voter identification law Thursday as an unconstitutional infringement on the right to vote. The ruling, from Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan, was handed down a day before a traveling van bringing the opportunity to obtain a free photo ID was scheduled to visit VIP Industries in Cape Girardeau... McCaskill: Missouri lacking in nursing home oversight (09/15/06) ST. LOUIS -- Missouri is doing a poorer job overseeing private nursing homes than it was three years ago, according to an audit released Thursday by State Auditor Claire McCaskill. McCaskill, speaking at a news conference in St. Louis, said she was discouraged by the new audit, which found a decline in the state's regulation of nursing homes during 2005 despite two previous audits that recommended 32 ways to improve oversight... Other states watching Missouri as vote on stem-cell amendment nears (09/15/06) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Ensconced in their research labs on the banks of the Charles River near Boston, Harvard scientists Kevin Eggan and Chad Cowan would seem to have little stake in the outcome of an election half a continent away. Yet on Nov. 7 when Missouri voters consider a proposed state constitutional amendment protecting embryonic stem-cell research, the two Harvard researchers -- bankrolled by a combined $10.65 million from 82-year-old Kansas City billionaire James Stowers Jr. ... Recount has Thomas as victor in auditor primary (09/14/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A recount has confirmed Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas as the victor in a close Republican primary for state auditor. The secretary of state's office said Wednesday that Thomas' victory margin actually grew by 28 votes, compared with the original count, over second-place finisher Rep. ... Hambacker focuses effort on health care, minimum wage (09/13/06) Taking on a well-funded congressional incumbent is a daunting task, but Veronica Hambacker said Tuesday that she can be successful by waging a grass-roots, county-by-county effort in the Eighth Congressional District. Hambacker, a Democrat who has raised a little more than $20,000 in her effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, said voters will reject the status quo on Nov. 7. Emerson has raised more than $800,000 to win her sixth term and had $339,000 in the bank in July... Judge orders tobacco tax onto Missouri's ballot (09/12/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state judge on Monday ordered a proposed tobacco tax increase to appear on Missouri's Nov. 7 ballot, ruling that supporters had gathered enough valid petition signatures. The decision by Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown overturns a decision last month that the amendment had fallen 274 names short of the required mark in the Kansas City area... Republicans out-raising Democrats for 2 seats (09/11/06) Democrats hoping to upset the Republican juggernaut that transformed Southeast Missouri's legislative delegation into a GOP bastion find themselves far behind in fund raising with just eight weeks until election day. In two open seats stretching from southern Cape Girardeau County to the Bootheel, both won for the GOP in 1998 by fewer than 100 votes, the Democratic candidates face a cash advantage for Republicans of 10- and 20-to-1... Former president Clinton stumps for McCaskill (09/10/06) ST. LOUIS -- Former president Clinton on Saturday said Democrat Claire McCaskill would be a "proud successor" to Harry Truman, who rose from Missouri's U.S. senator to national prominence after daring to challenge the status quo during wartime. Clinton, in his first formal visit to Missouri in nearly six years, gave two rousing speeches to the Democratic Party faithful in St. ... Area candidates filling campaign chests (09/08/06) Incumbent Republican state Rep. Nathan Cooper scored big in fund-raising last month, bringing in more than 30 times the amount collected by Democratic challenger Matt Hill. Cooper, who is seeking his second term representing Cape Girardeau in the Missouri House, collected $26,175, from July 28 to Sept. 2, according to a report filed this week with the Missouri Ethics Commission... State bar evaluates judges facing retention (08/30/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Aiming to help voters decide whether to retain certain judges this November, The Missouri Bar issued a report Tuesday summarizing evaluations of the jurists by lawyers and, in some instances, by jurors as well. Judges on the state Supreme Court, the three-district Court of Appeals and five circuit courts in the St. ... Candidate asks for hand recount in state GOP auditor primary (08/25/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Second-place finisher Jack Jackson requested a statewide hand recount Thursday in Missouri's Republican auditor primary, tempering his hope by acknowledging a slim chance of actually reversing Sandra Thomas' victory. The statewide recount is just the fourth requested since 1900... Thomas officially wins auditor primary (08/24/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas on Wednesday officially was declared the winner of a close Republican state auditor's primary and immediately went on the offensive against her Democratic opponent. Second-place Republican finisher Rep. Jack Jackson, meanwhile, said he plans to ask for a recount today. That would trigger a statewide ballot reverification that by law could take until Sept. 13 to complete... Missouri voter ID law is the latest in national test cases (08/21/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In court, unlike in coin-flipping or some sporting events, there is no "best two-out-of-three" option to determine the ultimate winner of a contest that at first goes one way and then another. But in some sense, that is what is occurring beginning today in a Missouri courtroom just a few blocks from the Capitol... Senate candidates Talent, McCaskill meet cordially at Missouri State Fair (08/18/06) SEDALIA, Mo. -- There were no harsh words, no critical glares, just plenty of friendly banter and ham as Missouri's Senate candidates met Thursday at the state fair's annual political breakfast. The must-do event for Missouri politicians took on extra significance this year because both Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic challenger State Auditor Claire McCaskill are aggressively courting rural voters for the Nov. 7 election... 300 rally against stem-cell measure (08/18/06) Amendment 2 provides a stark choice for Missourians, opponents whipping up religious opposition told a crowd of 300 Thursday night. Speakers at the Christians Against Human Cloning rally painted the proposal as the next step in a satanic onslaught, using promises of cures to promote tyranny and death... Question for voters Nov. 7 boils down to worries versus hopes (08/18/06) No politicians anywhere actively support the creation of cloned human beings. And talk of cloning raises the specter of sci-fi classics such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or "Brave New World." But for those opposing Amendment 2, the horror of cloning extends to the petri dish, where the techniques first pioneered to produce Dolly the sheep could be used to foster stem-cell lines identical to a living donor... County Democrats, Republicans elect committee leaders (08/17/06) Cape Girardeau County's two major political parties elected new leaders Tuesday evening. Educator Brenda Woemmel of Cape Girardeau was elected chairwoman of the Democratic Central Committee, replacing photographer Tom Neumeyer. John Voss, a Cape Girardeau city councilman and manager at Procter & Gamble, was elected chairman of the Republican Central Committee, replacing Leonard "Fritz" Sander of Jackson... Talent, McCaskill forum to be Sept. 15 (08/16/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill will meet in a candidate's forum Sept. 15. The Missouri Press Association said Tuesday the two Senate candidates have agreed to participate in the forum during the group's annual convention at the Lake of the Ozarks... Blunt says ballot proposal to boost minimum wage could harm economy (08/13/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt says a November ballot proposal to boost Missouri's minimum wage could harm the economy and make it more difficult to recruit businesses to the state. If approved by voters, the proposal would raise Missouri's minimum wage from the current federal level of $5.15 to $6.50 effective Jan. 1. The wage rate would automatically rise each year thereafter to keep pace with inflation... Energy, health costs top issues for voters, Emerson says (08/13/06) Constituents in the 8th Congressional District have two major concerns, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said Saturday -- energy costs and health-care costs. Emerson said at her 11th annual picnic Saturday she gained greater understanding of those concerns after a tour last week that stopped at farms in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Stoddard counties and the floodwall in Cape Girardeau... Election win creates opening on county commission (08/11/06) BENTON, Mo. -- With the election over in Scott County, an uncertainty remains -- who will be the next commissioner to represent the county's northern half? Current 2nd District Commissioner Jamie Burger won the Democratic party nomination for presiding commissioner Tuesday, all but guaranteeing him the seat since no Republican is challenging him... Glitches delay vote count in Bollinger County (08/10/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County's election Tuesday dragged on late into the night as election officials wrestled with technical glitches to count all the votes. All the votes were counted by 11 p.m., County Clerk Diane Holzum said. None of the contests was close, and the final tallies didn't change the outcomes... Prop 1, Clark beat expectations (08/10/06) Tuesday's election results in Cape Girardeau County included two stunning turns of fortune. Paul Sander, longtime mayor of Jackson, filed for the county clerk's job Feb. 28. Conventional wisdom suggested that Sander, latest in a family line of officeholders, would be a formidable if not unbeatable candidate... Jackson sales tax may be on back burner (08/10/06) Asking voters to approve a fire safety sales tax in Jackson may be put on hold for a while after a countywide half-cent sales tax narrowly passed Tuesday. Jackson officials have been working on a proposal to build another fire station in the city. They had been considering asking voters to approve a sales tax for the substation but were waiting for the results of the county proposal... Sales tax passes by 131 votes (08/09/06) Cape Girardeau County voters narrowly approved a proposed half-cent sales tax Tuesday in an election that had all three county commissioners eagerly awaiting returns from every precinct. All three commissioners and Sheriff John Jordan, who together led the public relations campaign for the tax, agreed Proposition 1 would have lost heavily if the vote had taken place three weeks ago... Newcomer to be clerk; incumbent wins presiding commissioner race (08/09/06) A political newcomer upset a 20-year fixture on the area political scene Tuesday to win the Republican nomination for Cape Girardeau County clerk. Kara Clark, a Cape Girardeau native who returned home two years ago to help care for her ill father, easily won her first election by defeating Jackson Mayor Paul Sander. Clark received 62 percent of the vote to Sander's 38 percent, winning 4,901 to 3,016... Newcomer wins Perry Co. commissioner race (08/09/06) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A former UPS driver beat out two seasoned politicians and another candidate to win Perry County's presiding commissioner seat. Carl "Topper" Leuckel won the post vacated by retiring Presiding Commissioner Thomas Sutterer by nearly 600 votes. He beat out lawyer and former Perryville mayor Kim R. Moore and former state representative and current 1st District Commissioner Patrick A. Naeger, all Republicans... Hambacker wins Democratic primary in race for Congress (08/09/06) Veronica Hambacker won Tuesday's three-way Democratic primary for the 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to unofficial results from the Missouri secretary of state's office, Hambacker, of Salem, Mo., took the Democratic nomination with about 40 percent of the votes... Meadow Heights bond issue passing (08/09/06) PATTON, Mo. -- Voters in the rural Meadow Heights School District appeared Tuesday to have approved a $1.5 million bond issue to upgrade the school complex. Technical problems delayed vote counting in Bollinger County. With most of the votes counted late Tuesday night, the bond issue was passing 434 to 182... Election briefs 8/9/06 (08/09/06) Sen. Lieberman loses Connecticut primary Three-term Sen. Joe Lieberman fell to anti-war challenger Ned Lamont in Connecticut's Democratic primary Tuesday, a race seen as a harbinger of sentiment over a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 2,500 U.S. ... GOP primary for state auditor a tight race (08/09/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee cruised to victory in the Democratic state auditor's primary Tuesday while Republicans awaited the outcome of a tight three-way race in their primary. Montee had 69 percent of the vote in her contest against Columbia accountant Darrell Wattenbarger, with 58 percent of statewide precincts reporting results... Horman upsets Mann; Burger fends off Pinkerton (08/09/06) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott City resident Cindy Gray went to the polls early Tuesday afternoon primarily for one reason. "I basically came out to vote for judge," Gray said. Danny Brown of Scott City was there for the same reason. In fact, he had little interest in the race for the county's presiding commissioner seat at all... County sales tax, Fulbright set to win by wide margins in Bollinger County (08/09/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- With all but three precincts reporting, Bollinger County voters appeared to overwhelmingly support a countywide sales-tax increase as well as a deputy recorder of deeds to run to replace her retiring predecessor. Technical problems with the vote tabulators pushed the finals late into the evening, but with 10 of 13 precincts reporting and absentee ballots counted, the eighth-cent tax increase -- which would generate $70,000 a year for the Tri-City Senior Citizens Nutrition Center -- was all but assured victory with 1,023 voters saying yes and 541 casting no votes.. ... U.S. Senate seat hopefuls to appear on 'Meet the Press' (08/08/06) Two contenders for a Missouri U.S. Senate seat will appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" for a debate this fall. Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Talent and his challenger, Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill, will appear on the program Oct. 8, according to a news release from McCaskill's campaign. ... Prop 1 decision comes down to tax tradeoff (08/06/06) As voters prepare to make a final decision on Proposition 1, the half-cent county sales tax for roads and law enforcement, supporters are asking that people take a close look at their property-tax bills. The first line on the bill indicates how much the tax collector received for either the county road and bridge fund or the Cape Special Road District... Each precinct in area to have touchscreen voting machine (08/06/06) A new method for voting will be on hand at area polling places Tuesday to make sure disabled voters can vote easily and in privacy. Most voters, area county clerks said, will see no change in the way ballots have been cast in recent years. But the new machines, mandated by the Help America Vote Act, could be the wave of the future... Sales tax for parks, soil conservation up for extension Tuesday (08/06/06) On Tuesday, Missouri voters will decide whether to extend a little tax that supporters say has paid big dividends. Amendment 1, if approved, would add 10 years to the life of the statewide 1/10-cent sales tax for state parks and soil conservation. The tax provides about $82 million annually that is split between state parks maintenance and upgrades and soil conservation projects... Primary election list (08/06/06) Voters will make choices Tuesday for the following races and ballot issues. Incumbents are noted with (I). Republican Party Isaiah Hair Jr. Jim Talent (I) Joyce P. Lea Roxie L. Fausnaught Scott Babbit Democratic Party Bill Clinton Young Claire McCaskill... Stoddard County political group files new disclosure reports (08/05/06) The Stoddard County Republican Central Committee filed new disclosure reports this week detailing transactions that earlier reports claimed never occurred. The two reports, originally due April 15 and July 15, reported a total of $8,095 in fund-raising and $8,032 in spending since the beginning of the year. Those totals include $6,000 received from a Dexter, Mo.-based political action committee that was moved to Gov. Matt Blunt's campaign fund... Officials make last pitch for Prop 1 tax (08/05/06) The final public pitch for Proposition 1 Friday sounded familiar themes of better roads and improved county law enforcement. With only a few days remaining before Tuesday's vote, Cape Girardeau County officials seeking the half-cent sales tax increase made their case before the biggest audience so far, about 175 people attending the monthly Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce breakfast gathering... Second lawsuit seeks to block voter photo ID law (08/04/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Opponents of a new state requirement for voters to show a government-issued photo identification filed a second lawsuit Thursday, claiming it could discourage or prevent people from voting this November. The lawsuit's plaintiffs include several Missourians qualified to vote who say they lack an acceptable ID under the new law and hence could not cast a regular ballot in the Nov. ... Three Democrats vying for chance to face Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (08/04/06) Democrats will decide Tuesday between two familiar faces and one newcomer in their primary with the winner taking on longtime incumbent Jo Ann Emerson in the 8th Congressional District. Three candidates -- Veronica Hambacker, Gene Curtis and Earl Durnell -- are vying for the right to face Emerson, who won by a 3-to-1 margin in 2004 in a district that has consistently voted Republican since 1980... Opponent says Jetton's fund-raising letter violates agreement to run clean campaign (08/03/06) House Speaker Rod Jetton last month issued an urgent call to supporters for money to fuel his re-election campaign after his Democratic challenger reported outraising the three-term incumbent. "Unfortunately, his support amounts to a tidal wave of money, activists and slander headed my way," Jetton wrote. "I believe we are facing the most serious challenge we have ever seen. The scariest part of this whole conspiracy is that it is actually working!"... Jackson restaurant getting refund from Sander's campaign (08/03/06) Paul Sander's campaign for Cape Girardeau County clerk will pay Stooges restaurant $1,105 to refund an in-kind contribution that exceeded the legal maximum, campaign treasurer John Thompson said Wednesday. Meadows Heights voters to decide fate of bond issue (08/03/06) PATTON, Mo. -- Two hundred and eighty students. One set of bathrooms. That combination means long lines in the hallway at the Meadow Heights elementary school. "We always have a line in the hallway," said principal Donna Bristow. She other school officials want to add a second set of restrooms. It's one of a number of major improvements planned for the high school and elementary schools that sit together on a single campus in rural Bollinger County... Four vie for Perry County presiding commissioner (08/02/06) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Voters in Perry County will choose a new presiding commissioner Tuesday from among four candidates, two of whom are up and comers and two with a political background. The post is being vacated by Thomas Sutterer, who is retiring at the end of his term... Candidate blames opponent's campaign for bogus Web sites (08/02/06) Someone stole Veronica Hambacker's name, and she'd like it returned. Hambacker, a Democrat from Salem, Mo., is running for Congress in Missouri's Eighth District. Recently, she discovered the online domain names for her full name with middle initial, her last name, and her first and last name have been purchased by a political foe... Senior center sales tax to be decided Aug. 8 (08/01/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County voters will decide the future of a proposed hike in the county-wide sales tax for the senior center in the Aug. 8 primary election as well as pick between two first-time office-seekers vying for the soon-to-be-vacated recorder of deeds seat. The eighth-cent sales tax increase would generate ... Major contributors in the race for the 158th District Missouri House seat (08/01/06) Matt Hill, Democrat: Nathan Cooper, Republican Media Continuing Committee, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Missouri State Troopers Association PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $200; Realtors PAC-Missouri, Columbia, Mo., $325; Teamsters Local Union No. 688 PAC, $325; District 4 Missouri Health Care Association PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Marion Tibbs, Poplar Bluff, Mo., $187.50; Edison Schools Inc., New York, N.Y., $175; Governmental Affairs Committee, St. ... Major contributors in the 160th District Missouri House race (08/01/06) Larry Tetley, Democrat: Steve Taylor, Sikeston, Mo., $325; Rice Burns Jr., Sikeston, $325; Missouri State United Auto Workers PAC, Hazelwood, Mo., $325; Ray Clinton, Sikeston, $325; Hoisting Engineers Local 513, Bridgeton, Mo., ... Hopefuls add to campaign coffers in election home-stretch (08/01/06) The candidates for Cape Girardeau County clerk remained closely matched in fund-raising during July thanks to a $5,000 loan to one campaign and a single day of contributions that brought in $2,970 to the other. FIrst-time candidate Kara Clark made the loan to her ... Major contributors in the Republican primary for Cape Girardeau County clerk (08/01/06) Paul Sander: Kara Clark Frank Emmendorfer, Cape Girardeau, $300; Bowen Engineering, Cape Girardeau, $325; Kara Clark, Cape Girardeau, $5,000 loan... Prop 1 comes down to trust, pocketbook (07/30/06) Voters on Aug. 8 will decide the fate of the biggest county initiative in years. Proposition 1, a half-cent sales tax to fund road paving and law enforcement, has revealed among some groups of voters an almost visceral distrust of the county commission. Missteps early in the effort to win passage of the tax measure didn't help soothe those feelings... County clerk hopefuls campaigning hard (07/30/06) On a hot afternoon last week, Paul Sander went door to door in a Jackson neighborhood that didn't exist just a few years ago. "Hi, I'm Paul Sander and I've had the part-time job as mayor of Jackson," he says as each door is opened. "Now I'm running for the full-time job as county clerk."... Area party committee funnels $6,000 to Blunt (07/29/06) A Dexter, Mo.-based political action committee that gave Gov. Matt Blunt's re-election campaign the legal maximum in September 2005 used the Stoddard County Republican Central Committee to give another $6,000 in June. Bootheel Leadership, formed in May 2005, has reported raising $33,901 since its inception. Contributors include individuals from Stoddard County as well as companies and lobbying groups with extensive interests in the actions of state government... Analyst: Tax promise is binding (07/27/06) As Cape Girardeau County commissioners visit town meetings and service clubs promoting Proposition 1, they have run into some residents expressing a lack of trust in their promises. One promise they have made -- that if Proposition 1 passes the county road and bridge property tax would disappear and could not return without a vote -- is backed up by state law, the chief property tax analyst in the state auditor's office said Wednesday... Candidate criticizes how the state auditor's office operated in recent years (07/27/06) Republicans file ethics complaint against McCaskill (07/27/06) WASHINGTON -- The Missouri Republican Party filed an ethics complaint Wednesday against Democrat Claire McCaskill, claiming the U.S. Senate candidate has not shared enough information about her husband's finances. In its complaint to the Senate Ethics Committee, the party charged that McCaskill has not fully complied with federal ethics laws for reporting her family's assets, income and liabilities... South part of county proves tough sell for sales-tax proposal (07/26/06) County commissioners ran into a buzzsaw powered by distrust during a town meeting Tuesday on Proposition 1, the proposed half-cent sales tax for roads and law enforcement on the Aug. 8 ballot. Several of the 33 people who attended the session at the Delta Community Center turned indignant at times over what they viewed as past neglect of their area of Cape Girardeau County... Missouri's photo identification law doesn't apply to absentee ballots (07/26/06) The new law requiring a Missourians to show a photo ID when voting does not affect those who plan to vote absentee in the November election. Acceptable identification for absentee voting include an IDs issued by the state of Missouri, U.S. government or any Missouri institution of higher education. A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document containing the name and address of the voter may be substituted as a valid form of ID... Few offer stance on Prop 1 issue (07/24/06) Cape Girardeau County voters looking for advice on whether to support a county sales tax issue on the Aug. 8 ballot won't receive much guidance from candidates for county offices. Only one candidate in a contested primary -- Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, seeking the Republican nomination for a fourth term -- is willing to take an unambiguous stand in favor of the tax... Sander won't seek mayoral re-election regardless of outcome in county clerk race (07/21/06) For the first time in 14 years, Paul Sander will not seek re-election as mayor of Jackson in April 2007. Sander is in a race for Cape Girardeau County clerk against Kara Clark, director of sales for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. With no Democratic candidate, the Republican primary election on Aug. 8 will determine the winner... Candidates for Perry County offices running campaigns on a shoestring (07/21/06) In the four-way race for the Perry County presiding commissioner seat, only one candidate has gathered a significant amount of donations for her campaign. Presiding Commissioner Thomas H. Sutterer not running for re-election and no Democrats or third party candidates filing for the position, the Aug. 8 primary election will decide who fills the vacated seat... Some Democrats lagging behind in campaign funds (07/20/06) Two Democrats challenging Republican incumbents for Missouri House seats in Southeast Missouri lag far behind their opponents in money available for the contests. Neither candidate, however, reports being discouraged by the mismatched bank accounts. Instead, they contend they will are having no trouble raising money and said the actions of the GOP-controlled legislature have upset voters... McCaskill blasts Big Oil (07/20/06) Federal energy policy gives too much away to big oil companies and shortchanges renewable fuel production, U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill said Wednesday. In a Cape Girardeau stop billed as a forum on energy independence, McCaskill, a Democrat, alternately denounced the Republican incumbent, U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, and promoted broader investments in solar and wind power and emerging technology to produce ethanol from wood and plant materials... Other counties pave the way (07/19/06) MORLEY, Mo. -- The black patch of asphalt in front of Lee Cook's home on Scott County Road 413 is a sign of progress to Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel. Scott County invested $50,000 last year in a hot-mix paving machine, allowing county road crews to lay 2 inches of asphalt over crumbling chip-and-seal surfaces. The longer-lasting asphalt should help reduce costs for the dust control program the county pursues to reduce complaints from residents who live along gravel roads... Jackson won't endorse sales tax issue (07/18/06) The city of Jackson will not endorse the countywide half-cent sales tax issue. Instead, the Board of Aldermen will support the decision made by voters. At a regular Jackson Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday, Alderman Joe Bob Baker made a motion that the board "respects the Cape Girardeau County commissioners and their decision to put the tax issue on the ballot," but it should be left up to the voters to support the tax issue or not... Candidates ready finance records with Aug. 8 primary nearing (07/18/06) Republican candidates for the Missouri House strongly led their Democratic opponents in fund-raising and money on hand during the most recent three-month reporting period. Those elections are months away. In elections closer at hand, the money is almost evenly split in the GOP primary for Cape Girardeau County clerk... Heisserer, Lewis add to coffers for 32nd Circuit race (07/17/06) The closest 2004 election contest in Southeast Missouri saw a narrow gap at the polls but the same wasn't true for the two campaigns' bank accounts. John Heisserer, a Democrat appointed in 2003 to be circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit, lost his post by 272 votes to Republican Ben Lewis. But Heisserer far surpassed his rival in fund-raising, building a 4-to-1 advantage... Mann, Horman vie for judgeship in Aug. 8 primary (07/17/06) Judge David Mann is a little out of practice when it comes to running for a contested office. He hasn't done so in 26 years. But this year a challenger -- Scott Horman, a lawyer who lives in Chaffee and practices law in Scott City -- stepped forward to try to break the long run... Sikeston, Benton natives vie for Scott County presiding commissioner (07/17/06) Small-town barbershops are places where men shoot the breeze, and Glenn Pinkerton's Natural Image is no different. The shop in downtown Sikeston has for decades been a place where the town's male populace trades gossip, facts, opinions and frustrations... 32nd Judicial Circuit 2006 campaign finance report (07/17/06) The following are all the donors who gave $100 or more to either John Heisserer, Democrat, or Benjamin Lewis, Republican, in the race for circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Lewis is the incumbent, seeking full six-year term in the November election. Campaign disclosure reports filed last week cover the period April 1 through June 30... Road panel approved, now needs members (07/14/06) Wanted: 11 Cape Girardeau County residents concerned about roads. Applications are open for slots on the Cape Girardeau County Road and Bridge Advisory Board. The board, approved unanimously by the county commission Thursday, is a response to public scrutiny given to road building since commissioners placed a half-cent sales-tax issue on the Aug. 8 ballot... County officials promote Proposition 1 at town meeting (07/12/06) GORDONVILLE -- Lower property taxes, better roads and stronger law enforcement are the top selling points county officials used Tuesday evening to promote Proposition 1 at a town meeting at Zion United Methodist Church. But when the audience got a chance to respond, they wanted to know when new rules for making paving decisions would be ready, why deputy sheriffs need a pay hike and how soon a citizen's advisory board would begin work... Commission OKs plan for road panel (07/11/06) With a little nudging from a county resident and a little chiding from County Clerk Rodney Miller, the Cape Girardeau County Commission approved a plan Monday to create an advisory committee to examine road issues. By a unanimous vote, the commission approved a six-year program that will put blacktop on 54.55 miles of county roads by 2012 if voters approve Proposition 1, a half-cent sales-tax increase on the Aug. 8 ballot... More than 100 women rally for Talent (07/07/06) U.S. Sen. Jim Talent championed the war on terror during a campaign stop in Cape Girardeau Thursday and accused his Democratic opponent, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, of undermining the war effort. The Democratic opposition to the war on terror has only encouraged insurgents in Iraq to believe the United States will withdraw its troops, Talent told a crowd of more than 100 who turned out for a Women for Talent rally at Southeast Missouri State University... Commission finds advisory panel proposal to its liking (07/07/06) Cape Girardeau County Commissioners took a step Thursday toward turning questions of county road policy over to an appointed advisory council. A discussion of the proposal, offered Monday by Commissioner Jay Purcell, showed a consensus in favor of the idea from commissioners. They plan to vote at their Monday meeting on Purcell's full proposal to guide the use of revenue from a half-cent sales tax for roads and law enforcement on the Aug. 8 ballot... State auditor candidate Thomas says office shouldn't be used as political steppingstone (07/06/06) Missouri needs a state auditor concerned about the office's work, not using the position as a platform for winning a higher office, Republican candidate Sandra Thomas said Wednesday. In a meeting with the Southeast Missourian editorial board, Thomas ran down the list of her GOP opponents. As she named each of the leading party contenders, she noted that all are state lawmakers... Purcell asks commission to commit to paving plan (07/05/06) A Cape Girardeau County commissioner has presented a list of road-paving proposals aimed at gaining support for a half-cent sales tax increase. On Monday, Commissioner Jay Purcell discussed his proposals for using the money if Proposition 1 wins approval on Aug. 8... Immigrants and ag money mix together in Senate race (07/03/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As a candidate for governor two years ago, Democrat Claire McCaskill met personally with executives of mega hog producer Premium Standard Farms Inc. to seek money for her campaign. She was rewarded with the maximum contribution... Sheriff hopes sales tax stems costly turnover (07/02/06) When Sheriff John Jordan explains his plans for using new tax revenue available if voters approve Proposition 1 on the Aug. 8 ballot, he lingers over the deputies he's lost to other law enforcement agencies. Eight deputies to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Four deputies to the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Two to the Jackson Police Department. And two who in December took jobs at the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety... Commissioner will present plan for Proposition 1 money on Monday (07/02/06) Cape Girardeau County commissioners have endured criticism from the public for seeking a tax increase without having a definite spending plan detailing what would be purchased with the extra revenue. Commissioner Jay Purcell, in response to those concerns, on Monday will present his proposal for using the money raised if Proposition 1, a half-cent countywide sales tax, wins approval on Aug. 8... Officials question proposal for county sales-tax increase (06/27/06) A homemade county road plan proposed to the Cape Girardeau County Commission Monday underlined the county's lack of a firm plan for spending a proposed half-cent sales tax. The failure to provide a detailed proposal with the ballot measure, which will be called Proposition 1 on Aug. ... Poll: McCaskill apparently leading incumbent Talent for U.S. Senate seat (06/26/06) ST. LOUIS -- State Auditor Claire McCaskill is slightly ahead of Sen. Jim Talent in their race for the U.S. Senate, according to a poll conducted for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TV. The statewide poll released Sunday showed McCaskill, the Democratic challenger, favored by 49 percent, compared with 43 percent for Talent, the Republican incumbent, the Post-Dispatch reported Sunday. The margin of error was 3.5 percent... Democrats say Mo. to be 'blue state again' (06/25/06) DEXTER, Mo. -- Former state senator Jerry Howard summed up the sentiment Saturday night: "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore." More than 400 Bootheel Democrats gathered at the Dexter Elks Lodge to hear party leaders give fiery speeches, all sharing one common goal -- wresting power from the Republicans in Washington, D.C., and in Jefferson City... Residents' two cents on half-cent tax (06/25/06) In the coffee shops, barbershops and beauty parlors, skepticism about county road plans is tempered with a willingness to be convinced to approve a sales-tax increase. At the Route K One Stop, talk about the sales-tax proposal is mostly negative, questioning whether officials can be trusted to keep their promise to spend the extra revenue on roads and more deputies. The same is true among the group who gathers every morning at the Burger King on East Jackson Boulevard... Dust control 'more immediate concern' for commission (06/21/06) Residents who took part in a public hearing on county roads showed so much concern about dust control that the Cape Girardeau County Commission wants information about the costs of taking action. In their meeting Thursday, commissioners will hear options from county highway administrator Scott Bechtold, Commissioner Jay Purcell said Tuesday... Supporters kick off campaign to renew parks tax (06/21/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Supporters of renewing the state's parks and soil sales tax kicked off their campaign Tuesday, saying the money has benefited people across the state. Missouri voters will consider in August whether to extend the one-tenth cent sales tax to help fund state parks and fight soil erosion. ... Democrats hope rally kicks off turnaround (06/21/06) Democrats in Southeast Missouri hope their first real rally in more than 20 years will mark the beginning of a turnaround for a political party that has been abused at the ballot boxes by their Republican rivals for decades. "The fact is, I think the Democrats got lazy and took things for granted. That's what happens when you don't make the effort," said Annis Fortner, an organizer of Saturday evening's rally in Dexter, Mo., and vice chairwoman of Stoddard County's Democratic committee... County paving project under scrutiny (06/20/06) The rules for selecting county paving projects need to be revised and changes will be in place before voters decide whether to give Cape Girardeau County more money, county commissioners said Monday. Addressing more than 60 people who packed the community room of the County Administration Building, Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said there are several rules that should be overhauled... Blunt, Nixon facing off over legal issues (06/19/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With a Republican governor and a Democratic attorney general planning to challenge the governor, even everyday government business can take on a political flavor. Since Matt Blunt took office, his administration has had several legal disputes in which he and Jay Nixon are at odds. ... Cape Co. officials ready for criticism of sales-tax plan (06/18/06) Cape Girardeau County residents Monday morning get their first chance to give their opinion on a proposal to increase sales taxes to pay for an accelerated county road paving program. The Cape Girardeau County Commission didn't hold a public hearing before it decided last month to put a half-cent sales tax before voters on Aug. 8. Known on the ballot as Proposition 1, the permanent tax increase would, if approved, raise about $5.9 million the first year... Cape County lays out expanded paving schedule with tax increase (06/09/06) A proposal for an accelerated county road-paving program states that Cape Girardeau County could blacktop an extra 19 miles of gravel roads during the first six years of a half-cent sales-tax increase. The detailed program, presented to the Cape Girardeau County Commission by county highway administrator Scott Bechtold, is subject to change and will be discussed at a public hearing June 19... Nixon will return more than $19,000 donated indirectly from Ameren (06/09/06) ST. LOUIS -- Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon will return more than $19,000 in donations to his gubernatorial campaign that came indirectly from Ameren Corp., the utility he is investigating over the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse. Nixon's campaign treasurer Craig Hosmer said returning the money doesn't mean Nixon was wrong to accept it. He said Nixon wants to eliminate any appearance of a conflict of interest as he investigates Ameren... Cape library plans to ask for boost in tax rate next year (06/09/06) The Cape Girardeau Public Library is seeking to garner good will for a proposed multimillion-dollar expansion project and a tax initiative by showing taxpayers what they get for their library buck. "We want to demonstrate to the public how responsible we are with their tax money," director Betty Martin said. "So if we raised taxes in order to add on to the building they would know that we will be very responsible with that money."... Bid for county clerk could leave Jackson mayoral seat open (06/06/06) The outcome of the Republican primary for Cape Girardeau County clerk could open up the seat for mayor of Jackson. Paul Sander, who has served as Jackson's mayor for the past 13 years, is in a race for county clerk against Kara Clark, director of sales for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau... State initiative process proves difficult to follow (06/05/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- "Read these directions carefully. Failure to precisely comply could thwart the will of hundreds of thousands of Missourians and waste millions of dollars." Missouri's instruction manual for citizen-initiated ballot measures does not actually come with a warning label. But the hypothetical one above could be appropriate... County clerk race opens with roadside sign campaign (06/04/06) The Republican primary for county clerk is a "family feud" that will end when the winner is declared Aug. 8, a supporter of one candidate said last week. Large signs proclaiming support for candidates Kara Clark and Paul Sander line all the major roads in Cape Girardeau County, with some standing side by side. That competition for prime space is mirrored in the two camps' rivalry for supporters prominent in area politics... Sen. Talent kicks off re-election campaign (06/04/06) U.S. Sen. Jim Talent stressed his bipartisan efforts in Washington even as he painted Democratic challenger and State Auditor Claire McCaskill as a tax-and-spend liberal during his re-election rally in Cape Girardeau on Saturday. The noontime visit to Cape Girardeau was part of a two-day, eight-city tour of the state to kick off his re-election campaign. The tour was scheduled to end Saturday evening in Hannibal, Mo... Two commissioners hope road plan helps tax vote (06/02/06) Two Cape Girardeau County commissioners believe creating a plan for paving county roads will help encourage voters to pass a half-cent sales tax increase in August. But the other commissioner believes a road plan may cause long-term problems for the commission... Commission puts sales tax increase on ballot (05/31/06) Cape Girardeau County Commissioners voted Tuesday to place a countywide half-cent sales tax increase on the August ballot. The half-cent increase would raise the county sales tax to 1 cent. If voters approve the sales tax, the county and Cape Girardeau special road district's road and bridge property tax would be eliminated... Towing the party line (05/30/06) In politics few things are guaranteed.But one thing is certain this political year. In Scott County, there won't be one Republican elected to county office. In fact, there won't even be a Republican pursuing county office. Out of a field of 11 candidates for Scott County's political offices this year, none are Republican... Carnahan bars two initiatives from ballot citing petition errors (05/26/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two proposed constitutional amendments have been barred from the November ballot, because Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said Thursday their petitions were not submitted in the proper format. Carnahan rejected initiatives proposing new restrictions on the use of eminent domain and an annual spending cap for state government... Area officials reserve judgment on tax increase (05/26/06) Some public officials say they need more information about a proposed countywide sales-tax increase that would generate funds for roads and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. The Cape Girardeau County commissioners will vote Tuesday whether to place a half-cent increase on the August ballot. Commissioners estimate the increase would generate nearly $6 million per year... County commission may put tax increase to vote (05/25/06) Cape Girardeau County commissioners will vote Tuesday to place a countywide sales tax increase on the August ballot. The half-cent increase would raise the county sales tax to 1 cent and would generate funds for county roads, Cape Girardeau's special road district and the Cape Gir-adeau County Sheriff's De-partment, said Commissioner Larry Bock... $4 million paid to pro signature gatherers (05/25/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Professional petition circulators were paid around $4 million to solicit signatures from Missourians in an effort to get five initiatives on the November ballot. The total, calculated Wednesday by The Associated Press from campaign finance reports and interviews, went toward proposed constitutional amendments that would protect stem-cell research, raise the tobacco tax, restrict eminent domain and cap state spending. ... AFL-CIO seeking higher pay in Missouri (05/24/06) ST. LOUIS -- The AFL-CIO and other community leaders launched a campaign Tuesday to convince voters to raise Missouri's minimum wage to $6.50 per hour. Union leaders and others rallied Tuesday morning in St. Louis; another rally was planned for today in Kansas City, and was scheduled to include an appearance by John Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee... Judge candidate's name back on Scott County ballot (05/17/06) The candidate seeking to unseat Associate Circuit Judge David C. Mann in Scott County was placed back on the ballot Tuesday by a court order. Circuit Judge David Dolan overturned an order from the Missouri Ethics Commission that Scott Horman, a Democrat, be removed from the ballot for failing to file a personal financial disclosure statement. Horman and Mann, a Democrat, will face each other in the Aug. 8 primary election... Challenger Garland wins tie-breaker election for Meadow Heights board (05/11/06) PATTON, Mo. -- Stephen Garland won a special election for a seat on the Meadow Heights Board of Education Tuesday, defeating incumbent Terry Wagner. Garland won with 337 votes to 72 votes for Wagner, school superintendent Victor Martin said. The two men deadlocked in the April regular election, each receiving 103 votes... Missouri ballot could have record number of initiatives (05/08/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters could have a record number of citizen initiatives to decide this fall if the hundreds of thousands of petition signatures submitted Sunday are upheld as valid. Separate groups seeking to raise Missouri's minimum wage and its tobacco taxes each turned in far more than the minimum number of signatures needed to qualify measures for the Nov. 7 ballot... Mo. Legislature may eliminate straight-ticket voting option (05/07/06) In 2004, more than one-third of Cape Girardeau voters cast a straight-party ballot, which by a single stroke registered their support for all candidates in one party. In the future, those voters may have to record an individual vote for each candidate. The Missouri Legislature is considering eliminating straight-party voting as party of a controversial elections bill that also requires voters to have government-issued photo identification... Scott County candidate disqualified from August primary (05/06/06) A Scott County candidate for associate circuit judge was disqualified from the August primary ballot for failing to file a financial disclosure statement, the Missouri Ethics Commission voted Friday. Scott Horman, who is seeking to unseat incumbent David C. Mann in the Democratic primary, was one of nine candidates statewide who missed the deadline for filing the personal financial disclosure statement required by law... Local party committees are conduit of campaign donations (04/29/06) The Missouri Ethics Commission is the referee of state politics, watching over lobbying, political donations and campaign spending. The commission's staff oversees millions of dollars spent by candidates, political parties and political action committees. ... 'Legal laundering': Politicians use local political party committees to get around campaign financing laws (04/28/06) In Missouri, hiding the source of a campaign contribution by funneling the money through a middle man is illegal. But strict limits on campaign donations from most sources have led the state Democratic and Republican parties and their big-dollar donors to look for creative ways to get their money to candidates. The result is millions of dollars moving through local political party committees, money that comes from donors who have already given the legal maximum to their favored candidates... Polite politics, not just policy (04/27/06) A political race that could be the closest area contest this fall could also be the most polite. The rules of engagement Ben Lewis and John Heisserer must follow in their rematch for Division II judge in the 32nd Circuit are far stricter than for any other office. ... Scott County's registered voters to get new ID cards (04/26/06) Sikeston Standard Democrat BENTON, Mo. -- Registered voters in Scott County will receive new identification cards in the next few days. Approximately 25,600 blue cards will be mailed to the address listed on the registration books. According to state statutes, each local election authority must send every active registered voter a voter ID card by nonforwardable mail at least every two years. If the address is wrong, then the card will be returned to the county clerk's office... Stem-cell institute still in limbo despite court victory (04/23/06) SAN FRANCISCO -- California's $3 billion stem-cell research institute won an important victory with a court ruling rejecting challenges to its constitutionality, but the agency's finances remain in limbo while the expected appeals block much of its funding... Group against stem-cell amendment airing ads (04/22/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A group fighting a proposed amendment to protect embryonic stem-cell research in Missouri has begun airing radio ads discouraging people from helping get the measure on the ballot. Missourians Against Human Cloning said people are being misled into signing something with which they don't agree... Judge orders new cost estimate for eminent domain ballot initiative (04/19/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A judge has ordered the state auditor to draft a new financial estimate for a ballot proposal that would restrict the use of eminent domain and require governments to compensate people for rules that lower their property values... McCaskill taking her RV to rural Missouri (04/08/06) WASHINGTON -- Claire McCaskill is revving up the RV and taking her U.S. Senate campaign to Missouri's countryside in search of votes that eluded her two years ago. With her 77-year-old mother, Betty Anne, along for the ride, the Democratic candidate is planning her most extensive campaign swing to date in Missouri's heartland. She'll cruise through 10 small cities next week and show off her new wheels -- a 31-foot RV that her campaign will use until November... Filing snafus lead to odd elections in Cape Co. (04/06/06) Gordonville voters had to fill in candidates on empty ballots Tuesday in the race for three seats on the Board of Trustees. "Let's just say there was a snafu," said Sheila Gross, current Board of Trustee chairman. "As chairman I take responsibility."... No coin flip: Voters will decide in special election (04/06/06) PATTON, Mo. -- Even his brother didn't vote for him. But Terry Wagner wasn't surprised. A lot of his family didn't bother to vote in Tuesday's election. "They thought it would be a blow out," said Wagner, who was seeking re-election to the Meadow Heights school board... Oran, Advance pass bond issues; Cape gets new board member (04/05/06) Oran will build a new school, Advance will remodel one, and Cape Girardeau will have one new school board member as a result of Tuesday's elections. Cape Girardeau voters elected pharmaceutical salesman and parent Kyle McDonald and incumbent Charles Bertrand to three-year terms. Twila Brown, an assistant professor of nursing at Southeast Missouri State University, finished third... Bond issue for water system in Cape County passes (04/05/06) Residents in Cape Girardeau County Water Supply District No. 5 voted Tuesday to issue waterworks revenue bonds in an amount up to $450,000 to acquire, construct and improve the water distribution system. The bond issue passed with 127 votes in favor to 34 votes opposing the issue... Bollinger County voters pass library tax (04/05/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County voters were apparently conflicted about the library tax increase on Tuesday's ballot, but they did approve the first tax increase of its kind in 60 years with just over 52 percent of the vote. "It was a little closer than I would have liked," said library director Eva Dunn. "But I take small victories."... Jackson re-elects Ward 4 incumbent (04/05/06) Jackson's Ward 4 voters returned Alderman Joe Bob Baker to his seat for two more years. Baker received 117 votes to defeat Thomas P. Gleeson III, who had 24 votes. "I feel real good about it," Baker said about being re-elected. "It was a fair turnout, and I'm real pleased."... Knudtson, charter changes get voter approval (04/05/06) Cape Girardeau voters resoundingly endorsed Mayor Jay Knudtson's bid for a second four-year term in office Tuesday. Voters also approved three amendments to the city charter by large margins, re-elected city council members Marcia Ritter and Charlie Herbst; and elected first-time councilman John Voss... Scott Co. races go to the wire (04/05/06) BENTON, Mo. -- Close elections in Oran changed the makeup of the city's board of aldermen Tuesday night and left a mayoral candidate hoping for a recount. Meanwhile Chaffee's Ward 2 residents voted out incumbent councilman Bob Sullivan, voters in Scott City defeated a 5 percent tax on telecommunications services and Kelso voters overwhelmingly approved a renewal of their fire services tax... Caruthersville vote postponed (04/05/06) CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Pemiscot County Clerk Larry Ray said Tuesday's scheduled elections in Caruthersville will be postponed until May 2 after the city was devastated by a tornado over the weekend. Caruthersville is the first town in Missouri ever to make such a move, said Stacie Temple, a spokeswoman for Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. Temple said the postponement is justified under the circumstances... Ste. Gen. teen still missing; authorities perplexed (04/05/06) Four days of searching have turned up virtually no clues in the disappearance of a "happy, goofy" teenager missing since a party near an eastern Missouri lake early Saturday, relatives and authorities said Tuesday. Relatives of Wade Lurk, 17, of Ste. Genevieve, believe he may have been kidnapped, his aunt, Dena Lurk Mullen, said... Two campaign veterans, one newcomer seek spot to challenge Emerson (04/02/06) Democrats looking for someone formidable enough to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will choose between two candidates making their fourth campaigns and a retired teacher in her first bid for office. The winner of the Aug. 8 primary will face a foe who received 72 percent of the vote for the past two elections and started the election year with more than $300,000 in the bank... School board candidates (04/01/06) School board candidates Charles Bertrand Incumbent -- Elected last year to one-year term, seeking three-year term Age: 60 Spouse: Lisa Children: One adult son, three adult daughters. Education: Bachelor's degree in secondary education, master's degree in education administration from Southeast Missouri State University, superintendent certification from the University of Texas-Tyler... Oran voters to decide whether to approve school bond issue (03/31/06) ORAN, Mo. -- An assortment of aging, one-story brick buildings make up the Oran school campus, resulting in numerous exterior doors that school superintendent Mitchell Wood says pose a security risk. That will change if voters in the Oran School District approve a $2.5 million bond issue on Tuesday to construct a new elementary and junior high school that will adjoin the high school. It will put all the students under one roof and improve security by having fewer exterior doors, Wood said... Construction, maintenance top Farrow's list of changes for county (03/30/06) On Wednesday morning Thomas Farrow found out he will run against his cousin if he wins the August primary for presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County. Both Thomas and Vincent Farrow filed on Tuesday, the last day to file for a county office. Thomas Farrow filed as a Republican and Victor Farrow filed as a Democrat. Incumbent Gerald Jones filed in February as a Republican candidate for presiding commissioner... Knudtson faces store owner in Cape mayoral election (03/30/06) Despite the fact that the position of mayor and three city council positions are up for grabs, the April 4 election for the city of Cape Girardeau has not been as highly contested as past campaigns. Jay Knudtson is seeking a second term as mayor and is being challenged by Walter White, owner of Ole Country Store on Sprigg Street... Ballot items aim at improving Cape's charter (03/30/06) In the April 4 election, aside from the local races there will also be on the ballot a request to update the Cape Girardeau city charter by making it more responsive and efficient in how we govern ourselves. The recommendations we propose have been looked at seriously and long. Now it is up to the voters to decide in the best interests of our community... Cape Girardeau Candidate Profiles (03/30/06) Mayor Spouse: Cindy Occupation: Executive vice president with First Missouri State Bank Education: Four years college, University of Minnesota City government experience: Former treasurer and executive board member Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, former chairman of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Board, four years mayor... Cousins file in Cape County presiding commissioner race (03/29/06) Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones plans on retiring after his next term in office. But if either of a pair of cousins who filed for his job Tuesday is successful, he'll be retiring early. Victor Farrow of Egypt Mills, business agent for Teamsters Local 600, filed as a Democrat for Jones' job less than an hour before filing for county offices ended Tuesday. Earlier in the day, his cousin, Tom Farrow, filed against Jones on the Republican ticket... Stem cell ballot language upheld (03/29/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state appeals court on Tuesday affirmed a lower court's ruling upholding the language of a ballot proposal to protect stem cell research. Opponents of the proposed amendment argue the language could lead voters to be deceived into approving human cloning for research purposes... Election 2006 (03/29/06) State races Salary: $162,100 Incumbent: Jo Ann Emerson Democrats filed: Veronica J. Hambacker of Salem; Gene Curtis of Matthews; E. Earl Durnell of Cabool Republicans filed: Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau Libertarians filed: Branden C. McCullough of Cape Girardeau... Bollinger County voters being asked to double library tax (03/28/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County residents last increased their library tax 60 years ago. If they don't approve an increase when they go to the polls April 4, library director Eva Dunn says, patrons can expect to see diminished operating hours, fewer new books and increasingly outdated equipment... Filing ends today for county races (03/28/06) Most incumbents in area county races will run unopposed this fall unless a challenger emerges today to contest their offices. Filing for the Aug. 8 primary closes at 5 p.m. today. Anyone interested in becoming a candidate for county office must file with the county clerk in their county. People interested in running for a state office must travel to Jefferson City and file at the secretary of state's office... April 4 ballot will feature fire tax, city races (03/27/06) When voters in Chaffee and Oran go to the polls on April 4, they'll have the chance to make significant changes to the make-up of their city governments, while voters in Kelso will make a decision on whether to continue a special fire tax, and Scott City voters will decide on a telecommunications tax... Paid signature gatherers hold the key in Missouri's stem cell ballot initiative (03/25/06) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Shaun Sachs has never held elective office. The 40-year-old former factory worker and doughnut shop employee isn't even registered to vote. Dressed in corduroy pants, a camouflage hunting jacket, a Brad Smith replica football jersey and a tattered University of Missouri baseball cap, he hardly strikes an imposing figure outside the University of Missouri-Columbia student union... Cape County officials test election equipment (03/23/06) For two and a half hours Wednesday, Cape Girardeau County election officials fed ballots into portable vote counting machines. But the automatic tally produced no winners or losers. It was only a test for the April 4 election. County Clerk Rodney Miller and elections supervisor Patty Schlosser tested the machines under the scrutiny of two election judges as required by law... Race for Scott Co. presiding commissioner now contested (03/23/06) BENTON, Mo. -- With less than one week left before filing ends for Scott County's primary election a Sikeston man has stepped forward to challenge Jamie Burger for presiding commissioner. Glen Pinkerton, a 60-year-old business owner, filed for the seat on Monday... 'Street Preacher' among Ill. primary winners (03/22/06) Duane "Street Preacher" Lyon rode a campaign that promised economic development and a rejection of federal flood plain rules to win the Democratic nomination for Alexander County commissioner. And in Union County, Democratic voters rejected an incumbent's bid for another term on the county commission Tuesday and gave a sergeant in the sheriff's department their nod for the top job... Clark files for county clerk race (03/14/06) Cape Girardeau resident Kara Clark has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for the office of Cape Girardeau County Clerk. Clark's filing means a primary election will take place in August for the race of county clerk. Jackson mayor Paul Sander filed as a Republican candidate for clerk on Feb. 28... Democrat plans challenge for U.S. 8th District (03/14/06) A retired teacher who served a term as president of the Missouri State Teachers Association and two terms on the Public School Retirement System Board of Trustees filed Monday to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. Veronica J. Hambacker of Salem, Mo., spent 33 years teaching before retiring from the Viburnum Public Schools three years ago, husband John Hambacker said. She is currently chairwoman of the Dent County Democratic Party, he said... Law barring convicts as candidates ruled unconstitutional (03/14/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state law barring people convicted of a federal felony or misdemeanor from running for office is unconstitutional, a circuit judge ruled Monday. Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan ruled in favor of Henry Rizzo, a member of the Jackson County legislature and former state House member who challenged the law... Emerson, Talent rally GOP forces (03/12/06) Two Missouri Republicans in Congress celebrated the collapse of the Dubai ports deal Saturday, saying it's a victory for national security. U.S. Sen. Jim Talent and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said lawmakers were right to oppose President Bush on the issue... Tobacco tax could lead to licensure of retailers (03/06/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missourians need a license to drive, fish or hunt; to cut people's hair, tattoo or embalm them; to practice medicine, sell homes or teach children. But there's no need for a Missouri license to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products -- a gap in government oversight that makes Missouri a national oddity... Police issue worries some Oran candidates (03/05/06) ORAN, Mo. -- As the April 4 municipal election approaches in Oran, some candidates are concerned the controversy over the police department could affect the election outcome and put responsible city government at risk. Other candidates say the police controversy isn't an issue at all... Divided Missouri Democrats uniting for 2006 elections (03/05/06) HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Missouri Democrats, not long ago divided, were united Saturday as they looked toward the 2006 elections with high hopes of regaining offices lost in recent years to Republicans. This year's Missouri Democrat Days was a marked departure from two years ago, when a gubernatorial primary topped their ticket and divided donors and voters... Absentee balloting lasts until April 3 (03/03/06) Any registered Cape Girardeau County voter wishing to vote absentee for the April elections may do so now through April 3. There are two locations where voters can either cast ballots absentee or register to vote. Cape Girardeau County Courthouse Annex at 44 N. ... Hundreds turn out for filing (03/01/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's top U.S. Senate hopefuls drew challenges Tuesday from lesser-known candidates with catchy names as hundreds of aspiring politicians signed up on the first day possible to seek elected office. The opening of candidate filing for the Aug. 8 primary elections marks the traditional start of Missouri's political season, although some candidates have already been campaigning for months. The filing period runs through March 28... Democrat will challenge Jetton (03/01/06) A Democrat filed Tuesday to challenge House Speaker Rod Jetton, who also filed for re-election. Michael Winder of Marquand, Mo., filed his paperwork for the 156th District seat in the Missouri House Tuesday at the Missouri secretary of state's office in Jefferson City, Mo... 10 Democrats, no Republicans file in Scott Co. (03/01/06) BENTON, Mo. -- Out of nine seats open in Scott County's August primary only one is contested after the first day of filing. Ten Democrats filed for presiding commissioner, county clerk, collector, recorder, circuit clerk, prosecuting attorney, associate judge in divisions 4 and 5 Tuesday. No Republicans filed... Miller says final county filing day is 'bittersweet' (03/01/06) Tuesday's election filing wasn't any ordinary filing day for Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller. It was the last time Missouri's longest-tenured clerk would greet familiar county incumbents with that old jury box, used now as a lottery-type system to see whose name gets placed on the ballot first... Bollinger County incumbents file (03/01/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Two Republicans and one Democrat filed Tuesday as candidates to replace retiring Bollinger County Recorder of Deeds Winonah Ossig. The candidates include Republicans Dana Fulbright of the Scopus, Mo., area and Linda Schreckenberg from near Leopold, Mo.; and Democrat Patti Barrett of Marble Hill, election officials said... Coleman drops bid for auditor (03/01/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Sen. Maida Coleman dropped out of the state auditor's race Tuesday, instead endorsing fellow Democrat Susan Montee. Coleman, a Sikeston native who declared her candidacy in November, had said in January that she was considering quitting the race because of a chilly reception from some Democratic insiders and donors... Strip club operator runs for school board in St. Louis suburb (03/01/06) ST. LOUIS -- The president and director of a Colorado-based adult entertainment company is running for the school board of a suburban St. Louis district, and already many residents are giving the candidacy a thumbs down. "I wouldn't want that kind of guy running a school board," said Jeremy Parks, 21. "If he's that great of a guy, with good morals, he wouldn't be running strip clubs."... Stance on federal flood insurance program may become issue in Alexander Co. commission race (02/21/06) OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- The rules for building homes and businesses in the flood-prone regions of Alexander County are developing into a major issue in the race for county commissioner. Two Democratic candidates, Darrell Shemwell of Cairo and Duane "Street Preacher" Lyon took opposite sides on the issue Monday during a candidate forum at the Horseshoe Lake Community Center. ... Blagojevich launches re-election campaign (02/20/06) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich formally launched his re-election campaign Sunday by renewing his vow not to raise taxes and warning that Republicans would reverse his efforts to make Illinois a better place for families. The Democrat said Illinois has come a long way since the "dark and troubling time" when he was elected after 26 years of Republicans controlling the governor's office... Forum to be held Monday for Illinois primary candidates (02/19/06) Candidates for the March 21 Illinois primary have been invited to share their views with residents of Alexander County at a forum Monday evening in Olive Branch, Ill. The forum begins at 7 p.m. at the Horseshoe Lake Community Center on Illinois Highway 3. The forum is sponsored by Concerned Citizens for the Recovery of Cairo... Tobacco tax initiative cleared for petition gathering (02/18/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Supporters of a tobacco tax increase intend to hit the streets within the next week to seek petition signatures needed to get their proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's office said Friday that it had approved the ballot language for a proposal that would more than quintuple the state's cigarette tax while tripling the tax on products such as cigars and chewing tobacco... Jackson mayor announces bid for county clerk (02/15/06) After serving 13 years as Jackson's mayor, Paul Sander has announced his candidacy for a Republican nomination for the office of Cape Girardeau County Clerk. "I've had an interest in local government for a long time," Sander said. "I've also been looking at exploring other options. Knowing that the incumbent is not going to file, I think the timing is good to seek the full-time office as county clerk."... Alexander Co. candidates gather for forum ahead of election (02/14/06) CAIRO, Ill. -- Election problems, economic development and police protection topped the agenda for discussion Monday evening among candidates for Alexander County offices. The Concerned Citizens for the Recovery of Cairo held a forum for candidates on the March 21 primary ballot, attracting about half of the candidates filed for local offices. About 50 people, many friends or relatives of the candidates, attended the forum at the old Cairo Junior High School... Talent has $4.66 million ahead of November vote (01/30/06) WASHINGTON -- Facing a tough re-election challenge this year, Sen. Jim Talent built his campaign war chest to a formidable $4.66 million in the closing months of 2005. Talent, R-Mo., hauled in about $1.1 million from Oct. 1 to the end of the year, according to a report due to be filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission... Stem-cell research battle emerging as key issue in Missouri's U.S. Senate race (01/26/06) WASHINGTON -- As debate in Missouri intensifies over a proposed ballot initiative on stem-cell research, so does the pressure on Sen. Jim Talent to step into the fray. So far, the Missouri Republican has largely remained on the sidelines, declining to take a direct position on a constitutional amendment that would safeguard stem-cell research and treatments in the state... Presiding commissioner Jones to run for fourth term (01/25/06) The terms for nine Cape Girardeau County offices will expire at the end of this year. Elections will take place in November for presiding commissioner, county clerk, recorder of deeds, collector of revenue, auditor, prosecuting attorney, circuit court clerk and two associate judges... Blunt trails Nixon in race; too close between McCaskill-Talent (01/23/06) ST. LOUIS -- A new poll shows Gov. Matt Blunt trailing potential Democratic challenger Attorney General Jay Nixon in the race for governor, based partly on overwhelming opposition to Medicaid cuts that Blunt's administration has championed. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/ KMOV-TV poll released Saturday found no clear leader in the race for the U.S. Senate between State Auditor Claire McCaskill and incumbent Sen. Jim Talent... Missouri judge upholds stem-cell ballot measure (01/20/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Cole County judge on Thursday upheld the language of a ballot proposal to protect stem-cell research and treatments in Missouri, rejecting a claim that the measure's stated ban on human cloning is misleading. Supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment, who have already raised more than $4 million toward the effort, immediately said they would start gathering the petition signatures needed to get it on the November ballot... 3 will vie for 2 seats on Cape board (01/19/06) The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will have at least one new face this April because incumbent William Bird didn't file for re-election after a decade on the board. Voters will choose April 4 among three candidates for two three-year terms on the board: incumbent Charles Bertrand, Dr. Twila Brown and Kyle McDonald... Stem-cell group raises $4.4 million for statewide vote (01/18/06) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In just three months, a coalition backing a constitutional amendment protecting stem-cell research and treatments raised and spent about $4 million to promote the potential ballot initiative. Most of that money came either directly or indirectly from one source: James and Virginia Stowers, founders of Kansas City's Stowers Institute for Medical Research... Ballots for visually impaired voters present problems (01/16/06) JOLIET, Ill. -- Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis doesn't have a mouse or a moose in his name. Just ask the employees in the county clerk's office who have given the chairman's name an awful lot of thought recently. First the clerk's office tried "Moustis," but the computer software system designed to pronounce names for visually impaired voters said "Mouse-tis."... Southern Illinois primary ballots weighted toward Democrats (01/15/06) The lists of candidates for county offices in Union and Alexander counties of Southern Illinois point clearly to the dominant role of the Democratic Party in local politics. In the primary contests on the March 21 ballot, only Democrats have a choice of potential nominees and candidates for every office. That doesn't mean Republicans can't win, but they must often wait for a chance provided by primary contests that leave losers feeling bitter, longtime observers say...